The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Dr Olayemi Dawodu, has opened up about her journey into medicine, leadership and the challenges she faced while building a successful career in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Speaking in an interview, Dawodu said growing up around her father, a respected histopathologist, naturally influenced her decision to specialise in the field.
According to her, watching her father’s dedication and seeing the impact of his work on patients shaped her understanding of medicine from an early age.
She explained that although histopathology is not among the most publicly recognised medical specialties, it plays a critical role across every area of medicine by helping doctors identify diseases, cancers and infections that guide treatment decisions.
Dawodu said being exposed to that environment while growing up inspired her passion for the profession and gave her confidence that she could succeed in any path she chose.
She revealed that while studying at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, she already knew she wanted to specialise in medicine, though she had not immediately settled on histopathology.
According to her, becoming a young mother during her National Youth Service Corps period eventually influenced her decision to choose a specialty that balanced family life, fulfilment and professional impact.
The medical expert described histopathology as a path she felt deeply connected to because of her upbringing and experiences.
Oxford Leadership Training Changed My Approach
Dawodu also spoke about how attending the Strategic Leadership Programme at SAID Business School, University of Oxford, transformed her leadership style after becoming Managing Director and CEO of Cerba Lancet Nigeria.
She explained that the training came at a crucial period when she transitioned from being purely a clinical specialist into an executive leadership role within a multinational organisation.
According to her, the programme exposed her to global leadership practices, mentorship and practical solutions from professionals across different countries.
She described one of the most memorable experiences as a leadership exercise where participants conducted a choir while facilitators analysed their leadership behaviour, communication style and team engagement skills.
Dawodu said the training changed the way she managed staff and workplace culture after returning to Nigeria.
She disclosed that the company became more intentional about employee onboarding, ensuring new staff members feel welcomed and supported before resumption.
The CEO also introduced regular one-on-one meetings with managers to better understand their personal aspirations, wellbeing and professional goals beyond routine work discussions.
Building Trust With Doctors Helped Her Career Growth
Reflecting on her early years at Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Dawodu said her focus was always on delivering excellent service and maintaining strong relationships with doctors and surgeons.
She explained that many Nigerian medical professionals previously preferred sending samples abroad, especially to South Africa, for laboratory analysis.
However, through consistent accuracy, accessibility and collaboration with doctors, she gradually built confidence in local diagnoses.
According to her, within six months of joining the organisation, she succeeded in convincing many doctors to trust local histopathology evaluations in Nigeria.
She said maintaining open communication with medical professionals and ensuring accurate diagnoses helped strengthen the company’s reputation.
Becoming CEO Was Unexpected
Dawodu admitted that she was initially uncertain when she was offered the role of Managing Director and CEO by the company’s leadership.
She explained that although she had prior leadership experience during her school years and medical residency, stepping into a top executive role still felt intimidating.
According to her, her husband played a major role in encouraging her to accept the position and reminding her of her competence and experience in laboratory medicine.
After taking the role, Dawodu said she deliberately focused on building her leadership and business management skills through executive courses and professional training.
She added that her commitment to continuous learning helped prepare her for the demands of leading a major healthcare organisation.
‘People Often Underestimated Me’
Speaking on challenges she faced early in her career, Dawodu said many people underestimated her abilities and sometimes viewed her as “just a pretty face” without understanding the rigorous demands of histopathology.
She also revealed that being the daughter of renowned Professor Elesha sometimes increased the pressure on her, as she constantly felt the need to prove herself independently.
Despite the challenges, Dawodu said those experiences strengthened her determination and pushed her to work even harder.
She stressed that one of her biggest priorities today is ensuring that every member of staff understands that patient care remains at the centre of every decision made within the organisation.
