Rachael Oluwafunmilayo Ajiboye is a respected Nurse Educator and public health advocate. Her groundbreaking work in pain management, curriculum development, and nursing regulation in Nigeria has motivated professionals on the field. In this interview with Eniola Daniel, she shared insights into her journey, her motivations, and the significance of her contributions to health science.

Tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
My journey into nursing was driven by a deep-seated passion for care, healing, and service. I was particularly drawn to the blend of science and compassion that defines nursing. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science, I pursued a Master’s in Public Health Nursing, where I began to focus more on the intersections between chronic disease and population health.

Can you describe your educational journey in more detail?
I completed my BNSc in Nursing at the University of Ilorin, and then obtained a Master of Public Health Nursing. I was awarded a full merit-based scholarship for doctoral studies, which I deferred. Throughout my academic career, I’ve remained actively engaged in clinical practice and research.

You have contributed significantly to curriculum development in nursing. Could you elaborate on this?
I have served on various academic boards and committees where I led and contributed to the development of contemporary and evidence-based nursing curricula. These efforts have helped bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical clinical skills. My focus has been to integrate real-world challenges such as chronic pain, health inequities, and public health emergencies into the learning experience.

What was your role at the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria?
At the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, I was entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the nursing profession. I participated in quality assurance, regulatory inspections, and curriculum review panels. These responsibilities positioned me to help ensure that nurses trained in Nigeria meet global standards and are prepared to serve competently both at home and abroad.

You developed a unique pain management framework. What was the motivation behind it?
Working in underserved communities, I witnessed firsthand how patients with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease and hypertension suffered due to limited resources and poor pain assessment. My framework was created to empower community health workers and caregivers with practical tools and culturally sensitive approaches to alleviate pain in these populations.

You’ve also been recognized with awards in Nigeria for nursing excellence. What did that mean to you?
Those awards were never about me, they were about the message: that nurses can lead innovation. Receiving the Nursing Care Contributory Award and the Excellence in Patient-Centered Innovation Award gave visibility to the idea that frontline nurses should not only deliver care but also design better systems for delivering that care. It inspired other nurses to think more critically and act more boldly

What would you say was your breakthrough moment as a nurse researcher in Nigeria?
One defining moment was when I led a community-based project integrating pain diaries for sickle cell patients in partnership with a university teaching hospital. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive patients felt seen for the first time, and nurses reported improved confidence in assessment. Later, when I presented aspects of that framework at a national conference, I was invited to join the judging panel for an academic research competition. That recognition affirmed that our work was not just innovative but impactful.

How do you view the future of nursing education and practice in Nigeria?
The future is promising if we embrace innovation, research, and continuous professional development. Nursing is evolving beyond the hospital walls—into homes, communities, tech-enabled care, and policy advocacy. We must equip our nurses not just with technical skills but with leadership and critical thinking capabilities.

What’s your vision going forward
My vision is to lead global research in pain management that prioritizes context, equity, and compassion. I want to build bridges between countries like Nigeria and global institutions—co-creating frameworks that respect local realities while pushing for universal standards. My goal is to establish a transnational center for nurse-led pain management research within the next few years. Q: Final thoughts? A: Nurses are not just caregivers, we’re researchers, innovators, and leaders. When you give us the platform, we don’t just improve health systems; we transform them.