+ How he transitioned from Engineering to Nursing
Ibrahim Abiola Taiwo, a native of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria has made his community, the Muslim Ummah and the nation proud as he bagged a Master’s Degree in Adult Nursing from the Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
Ibrahim Taiwo, a devout Muslim, graduated with distinction at the badge ceremony held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Brooks Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, marking his transition from a technical background to the healthcare sector.
Muslim News gathered that Taiwo’s new academic accomplishment brings to three, the number of Masters’ degrees he has earned in distinct fields within the period of 6/7 years, demonstrating his commitment to multi-disciplinary learning and ability to adapt to diverse areas of study.
My academic sojourn
The journey began at the prestigious University of Lagos in Nigeria where Ibrahim Taiwo bagged his first degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering between 2011 and 2016.
He later proceeded to University of Nottingham, United Kingdom for his Master’s degree in
Electrical Engineering for Sustainable and Renewable Energy between 2018-2019.
The then Assistant General Secretary of the Engineering Muslim Students Society (EMSS) during his undergraduate days at UNILAG went further to obtain another Master’s in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence from Bournemouth University, UK, between 2020 and 2021.
Ibrahim Taiwo, meanwhile, partook in two Master’s programmes he has not been able to complete due to circumstances. His MSc programmes in Materials Science and Engineering at the African University of Science and Technical, Nigeria; and MSc Power Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, remain uncompleted.
My poor background pushes me to work harder
Speaking with Muslim News, Ibrahim who hails from Agagagugu Compound of Koto Ile Eja in Beere, Ibadan, said despite growing up in an environment associated with social vices such as drug abuse, thuggery, among others, he didn’t let it affect his academics and moral life.
“I was raised by my maternal grandmother in Isale Alfa, Ibadan, where I was blessed to learn resilience, humility, and the value of hard work. Alhamdulillah, these virtues have shaped my journey and strengthened my faith in Allah’s plan for me,” he said.
The latest scholar added that his poor background pushed him to study harder to rewrite his family’s narrative.
How my family wanted me to study Medicine
He shared the story of his sojourn into Engineering, and how his family wanted him to study Medicine instead.
He said, “From an early age, I gravitated toward challenges others found intimidating. In primary school, my teacher and uncle frequently spoke about the complexity of Further Mathematics, often discouraging students from attempting it. Their warnings, however, motivated me.
“By Allah’s grace, I earned an A1 in Further Mathematics in the WAEC GCE while still in SS2. My parents had always envisioned me as a medical doctor, but with an A1 in Mathematics and a C6 in Biology, my teachers convinced me that engineering was my true calling. Though my parents were initially reluctant, they eventually supported the change.
“My late maternal grandmother, however, was more hesitant. When I shared my decision with her, she remarked, “Bùrémò, ó wa maa gun òpó láti ṣoná?” —”Will you now be climbing ladders to fix electricity?” Her concern stemmed from the challenges surrounding my birth and upbringing. My family held my life dearly, and she feared for my safety.
“Despite her reservations, I pursued Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos, driven by the sacrifices of my mother, who used to sell her Ankara fabrics for N300 and her lace fabrics for N500 at Oranyan Market in Ibadan whenever we were in financial difficulties to buy me books. These sacrifices strengthened my resolve — I simply could not afford to fail.”
The incident that reignited my dream
According to him, the death of his maternal grandmother due to illness reignited his dream to study Medicine, which his family had nursed for him.
“Life took a painful turn when I lost my maternal grandmother. Her passing, along with the earlier loss of my beloved maternal and paternal aunts to illnesses that could have been better managed, reignited a childhood dream she had for me – to study medicine and serve humanity.
She believed that a medical career would equip me to educate and uplift my community, where health misinformation often leads to harmful practices such as self-medication with the wrong prescription and dosage,” he said.
“While working as a Building Services Engineer, I set a bold goal: to become a Chartered Engineer within three years instead of the usual five. I planned to achieve this milestone and then transition to medicine to honour my grandmother’s wishes,” he added.
Remarkable role of my wife
He acknowledged the remarkable role played by his wife, Ummuh Aadilah, during the transition.
“When my plan changed, my wife, Ummuh Aadilah, who is a medical doctor, proposed a more practical path: Nursing. She saw it as a quicker route into healthcare, and her support has always been my anchor. Before I began nursing school, she gave me a clear mandate: graduate with distinction or risk her disappointment.
“She helped me understand complex medical terms and provided explanations for difficult concepts long before I entered the Nursing field. We often discussed medical scenarios, which prepared me mentally and emotionally for the shift in focus.
“Switching to healthcare has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. The scepticism and criticism I faced only strengthened my resolve. Today, I am grateful for the journey Allah has decreed for me and for the unwavering support of my wife, whose belief in me remains my greatest source of strength,” he noted.
Ibrahim Taiwo also showed appreciation to Ummuh Aqeelah, whom he called his prayer warrior, adding that, “she supported me with her constant prayers and encouragement. Her duas and belief in me strengthened my resolve during the most challenging moments.”
The transition journey not all rosy
Ibrahim Taiwo told Muslim News that his transition from Engineering to Nursing was not all rosy.
“But my determination, adaptability, and support system helped me navigate the challenges along the way,” he said.
“Engineering taught me problem-solving, critical thinking, and the importance of precision—skills that were incredibly useful in Nursing. While the two fields may seem different, both require analytical thinking and attention to details. I applied these skills to assess patient conditions, understand medical scenarios, and ensure accuracy in documentation.”
Plans
Speaking on his plan, Ibrahim Taiwo said he does not have plans to complete his two pending MSc programmes.
“My academic focus has shifted to areas that align more closely with my current career goals and aspirations,” he said.
“If I were to pursue further studies in the future, I would prioritise a PhD to contribute to research or an MBA in Healthcare to enhance my leadership and management skills in the healthcare sector.”
Taiwo, however, said he still values the knowledge gained during those programmes and recognises how they have contributed to shaping his multidisciplinary expertise.
According to him, his current priority is to utilise his existing qualifications to make an impact in healthcare, engineering, and data science.
My Islamic background, activism
Speaking about his Islamic background, Ibrahim Taiwo said he was blessed to have grown up in an environment deeply rooted in Islamic principles.
He acknowledged the contributions of various Muslim organisations to his life, especially the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, and the University of Lagos, noting he holds his journey of Islamic activism and knowledge very dearly.
“In university, MSSN UNILAG became a cornerstone of my spiritual and academic development. Through their support and guidance, I was able to balance my studies with my Islamic obligations, fostering a sense of community that propelled me forward.
“Later, as the AGS of the Engineering Muslim Students Society (EMSS), UNILAG chapter, I was privileged to assist in contributing to the effective organisation and coordination of Islamic activities within the engineering faculty. This experience strengthened my leadership skills and commitment to serving the Muslim community,” he said.
The UK-trained nurse listed other Muslim organisations that contributed to his success including Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN; Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B Zone; Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Iwo Road, Ibadan Branch; Abdul Kabir Aliu Foundation and Wesley College of Science Old Muslim Students Association (WESCOMSA), where he remains an active member.
He said the unwavering support of these Muslim organisations made it easy for him to navigate life challenges.
“I remain deeply grateful to Allah for placing me amid a vibrant and supportive Muslim community that has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth,” he said.
“This journey reaffirms my belief in the power of faith, community, and service to others, and I pray to continue making meaningful contributions to the Ummah, by Allah’s will,” he added.
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