In a milestone that bridges medical excellence with social advocacy, Evie Esi Odengle has graduated as a medical doctor from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions. According to her celebratory post on Instagram, Esi belonged to the ABU Medical Class of 2023.
Ms Odengle’s journey is distinguished not only by her medical training but by her recognition as a Millennium Fellow for the Class of 2022, a prestigious programme run by the United Nations Academic Impact and the Millennium Campus Network (MCN). Out of over 31,000 applicants from 2,400 campuses across 140 nations, ABU was among just 8% of campuses worldwide selected to host the fellowship.
As a Millennium Fellow, Odengle advanced SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and UNAI Principle 1 (commitment to human rights) through her project, “Flow On A Budget.” The initiative addressed menstrual hygiene among vulnerable girls in Zaria by creating and distributing reusable sanitary pads, ensuring that homeless and underprivileged girls have access to hygienic menstrual care without the burden of monthly expenses.
“I am excited to be a Millennium Fellow because I’ll have the opportunity to gain the leadership, teamwork, discipline, and other crucial skills I’ll need to be a real benefit to the women and children, as well as to my entire community and the rest of the globe,” Odengle said at the time.
Born and raised in Zaria to Akweya parents from Benue State, Dr Evie Odengle’s passion extends beyond medicine into technology, women’s and children’s rights, and general human rights. She draws inspiration from her father, Dr. Pius Onwe Odengle, an acclaimed orthopaedic surgeon and scholar who served for decades at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital before joining Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
With her MBBS degree now in hand, Odengle is poised to channel her clinical skills, advocacy, and leadership experience into serving her community, her nation, and the world at large.
