Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku: From Medicine to Monarchy, a Life of World-Class Excellence Rooted in Ijebuland
Ijebuland pauses today, not in silence, but in awe, as Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, OFR, FAS, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, marks his 82nd birthday. Some lives are measured in days; others, like his, are measured in the magnitude of their impact. Dr. Kuku’s life is a constellation—each achievement a star guiding generations, each act of service a comet leaving a trail of inspiration. At 82, he is not a relic of the past, but a living beacon illuminating the paths of medicine, tradition, and community.
In the realm of medicine, Dr. Kuku is legendary. As a master endocrinologist, he is celebrated globally, holding fellowships from the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria, and, historically, as the first African awarded Master Fellowship of the American College of Physicians. His career embodies Aristotle’s wisdom that “excellence is never an accident; it is the result of intention, effort and intelligent execution,” as each patient treated, each student mentored, and each research breakthrough attests. He has transformed knowledge into action, showing that medicine is not merely a profession but a calling that heals bodies and builds nations
Beyond hospitals, his vision reshaped healthcare in Nigeria. As co-founder and joint chief medical director of EKO Hospitals, established in 1978, he planted not just walls and wards but standards and trust. Listing the hospital on the Nigerian Stock Exchange became more than corporate triumph—it was a declaration that integrity and professionalism can anchor sustainable institutions at home. In him, Nelson Mandela’s truth finds resonance: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, but the difference we have made to the lives of others.” Every patient, every life touched, every opportunity created reflects that ethos.
Dr. Kuku’s influence flows seamlessly into civic and economic leadership. As former Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria and a guiding force within the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, he brought the precision of a physician to national policy, understanding that the strength of a nation rests not only in its resources but in the cultivation of human capital. His service earned him the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, a recognition befitting a man whose impact transcends titles.
In Ijebuland, his presence is both sacred and stabilising. As Olor’ogun of Ijebu-Ode and Ogbeni Oja, the highest non-hereditary title in the kingdom, he is a bridge between history and progress. His leadership as Chairman and Regent of the Ijebu Traditional Council ensures that culture and governance walk hand in hand, echoing Confucius’ observation that “Respect yourself and others will respect you,” evident in the reverence he commands across generations.
Within the Ijebu Professionals Elite Forum (IPEF), as Chairman of the Body of Awardees, Dr. Kuku has elevated recognition into a mirror of values, transforming excellence into communal responsibility. His quiet philanthropy through the Sonny Kuku Foundation nurtures health, education, and opportunity, proving that greatness is measured not only by titles but by the lives uplifted.
At 82, Dr. Kuku is ageless—not merely in body or mind, but in the enduring resonance of his legacy. His life is a testament to the power of purpose, the alchemy of wisdom, and the art of living fully. As Ijebuland, Nigeria, and the world celebrate him, one truth shines brighter than any accolade: Dr. Sonny Folorunsho Kuku’s life is a constellation of excellence, deeply rooted in home yet reaching the stars.
Happy 82nd birthday, Sir