BIOGRAPHY 

Dr Abiola Olamide Aiyenigba (nee Adelowo) was born on the 2nd of September, 1977 in London, United Kingdom to late Dr. Olatunji Olanrewaju Adelowo and late Mrs Felicia Oyeyinka Adelowo (nee Idowu). She was the second child of her parents. Abiola attended Mayflower Junior School, Ikenne, Ogun State for her Primary Education, and proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu for her Secondary School Education. She attended the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State to study Food Science and Technology for a year after which she got accepted to study medicine at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) qualifying as a medical doctor in 2004. After her graduation she moved to London, United Kingdom where she further studied and wrote the required PLAB exams to obtain her license to practise in the United Kingdom. She moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to work and met her husband Mr Adetola Adewale Aiyenigba through his bosom friend by what can only be described as a divinely orchestrated appointment.They tied the knot on the 2nd of September, 2006 in Nigeria and their union was blessed with a son, whom Abiola fondly called her Legendary Levi. 

Abiola started her working career at the Sighthill Medical Practice in Edinburgh, Scotland. She also worked at Nuirhouse GP practice also in Edinburgh. She joined the University of Liverpool’s Sanyu Research Unit not long after it launched in 2013 to start her PhD part-time, and was an important part of the unit’s development. She moved to Liverpool and continued working and looking after her beloved son while also pursuing her PhD. Doing her PhD part-time meant she was a constant over 6 years where she was always quick to offer friendship and support to other short term students visiting from Africa, many of whom were coming away for the first time. With her customary enthusiasm, Abiola created an intervention she called ‘FELICIA’ (the Fertility Life Counselling Aid), named after her beloved mother. The detailed manual for this course is now published (see Aiyenigba et al, African Journal of Reproductive Health 2019; 23:76-91). On finishing her PhD in Women’s Health she started working at the Centre for Capacity Research of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine until her sudden demise. She also wrote a letter on UK fertility interventions published by The BMJ (The British Medical Journal) in 2017. Abiola was described by her colleagues as a bright and warm individual, with an exciting research career in front of her. She is a great loss to the global health community.

Abiola was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Sister and Aunty. She doted on her family and was a pillar of support to them collectively and individually in so many peculiar ways. She was especially loved by her many nieces and nephews of whom she was exceptionally fond. Abi/Aunty B as she was fondly called was a family oriented woman who loved and cherished her nuclear and extended family alike. She was extremely warm, kind hearted and lavish in her expression of love for her family and friends. Abi was known by family, friends and colleagues for her joyful disposition, warm hugs, expressive gestures, contagious laughter, positive outlook and genuine concern for the welfare and success of everyone around her. She brought light and laughter everywhere she went, was always ready for a good time and there was never a dull moment around her. She never allowed life’s challenges to weigh her down for long, but sought to always put the turbulences of life behind her quickly, while bravely marching on to a brighter future. Abi loved listening to music, dancing, travelling and singing. She was known for her love for colourful African fabrics that she often wore and even sold these as a side business - 'Bold and Beautiful fabrics'. She was a keen collector of African art which she enjoyed collecting as she travelled to and through many African countries for work.

As a devout Christian, she was a highly committed member of Alive Believers Church in Liverpool where she volunteered as a notable member of the choir and other capacities. She was also a volunteer of Light Up Liverpool, an inter-denominational project to bring worshippers together in the city of Liverpool.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, Adetola whom she fondly called “Sweerim” (My Sweety), son, sisters, brother, in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunties, uncles, friends, colleagues and well-wishers. Adieu, Abiola Olamide Olatokunbo Aiyenigba - till we meet to part no more. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon our beloved.