Last Thursday, 21-year-old David Obagbuwa graduated with an MBChB from Stellenbosch University, making him one of the youngest medical doctors to qualify in this country.
Obagbuwa began his medical studies at 15.
He says that despite the challenges associated with his age, and having started his studies during the Covid pandemic, he persevered and was proud to take part in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Pledge Ceremony last week.
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Obagbuwa was welcomed into the 2020 intake of medical students. Being admitted into Stellebosch University was a dream come true, he said at the time, and he intended to set a record by graduating at 21.
“The dream has indeed come true, but it feels surreal,” he said.
“This achievement is a testament to the mentorship, support, and world-class education I’ve received from the Stellenbosch community. I’m incredibly grateful and it feels truly special to now reach the end of this journey with the same institution that believed in my potential from the very beginning.”
He credits the university’s personnel and the broader Tygerberg Campus community for passing on a wealth of knowledge and shaping his development.
“It’s not just about finishing at this age, but also about how much I’ve grown. The people I’ve met, and my experiences here have truly shaped me. I’ve learnt to be empathetic and disciplined. This degree has a way of humbling you and deepening your passion for the field.”
Obagbuwa moved to South Africa with his family when he was 11, attending Kharwastan Secondary School in Durban. Due to a misunderstanding, he was placed in Grade 9. He coped so well that the school allowed him to continue, and it soon became second nature for him to study alongside people much older than him.
He set his sights on SU early on, dedicating himself to gaining admission to its renowned medical programme. Entering university at 15, however, brought its own hurdles.
“At first, it was exciting to get into medical school. But walking into lecture halls and libraries and being the youngest person in every room was also intimidating,” he recalled.
The Covid-19 lockdown added an extra layer of isolation. “The pandemic separated us and we had to do everything online, so it affected my social life. When we resumed in 2021, I was able to integrate in the university community and focus on work and learning from others. Everything fell into place and eventually age stopped being the defining feature about me. I became just another student mastering the art of science and medicine.”
Obagbuwa said he faced several academic challenges, long hours, moments of self-doubt and a feeling of imposter syndrome.
“There were times when I thought, ‘I’m so young and have to meet all these expectations’. But then I’d tell myself it’s less about my age, and more about consistency, accountability and reactions.”
In the end, the highlights far outweighed the difficulties, and the key to his success was having detailed, practical plans and setting goals.
“Showing up even when it was hard made all the difference. I sometimes pulled all-nighters to meet academic requirements. Balancing work with hobbies like going to gym stopped me from burning out.”
In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time outdoors – hiking, playing football or going to rugby matches – or listening to podcasts on metaphysics, moral philosophy and medical ethics.
Obagbuwa has been placed at Phologong Hospital in Gauteng’s East Rand for his internship, where he hopes to explore specialisation options which will determine his future career path.
“I’ve grown to appreciate every aspect of medicine, and I’m also interested in research,” he notes. “I’m keen to implement everything I’ve learned so that I can contribute to South Africa’s healthcare system. I want to be the best doctor I can be for every patient who crosses my path.”
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