Advancing Midwifery Education for Improved Maternal Health
Dr Waleola Ige’s research focused on strengthening the quality of midwifery education in Nigeria, an area crucial to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Ige graduated with a PhD in Nursing from UKZN – the result of an unwavering commitment to improving midwifery education. Born and raised in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, her academic foundation was laid at the School of Science on Ondo Road, Ile-Ife.
From a young age, she aspired to reach the pinnacle of her career, a dream nurtured by her parents’ encouragement and further supported by her spouse, whose unwavering belief in her potential led her to UKZN.
Recognising that inadequate midwifery education contributes to Nigeria’s struggles in meeting global health goals, her study sought to develop a model that ensures midwifery graduates are competent and confident in their practice.
Employing a qualitative research approach grounded in social constructivism, she conducted an extensive study over 12 months, engaging 22 midwifery educators, 18 clinical preceptors, 18 newly-graduated midwives, and 72 final-year midwifery students. Her research culminated in the development of the Strengthening the Quality of Midwifery Education (SQME) model, which highlights key components such as the midwifery education context, curriculum design, SQME process, core pillars and expected outcomes.
Her findings emphasise that a sustained and deeply rooted SQME process is essential for long-term improvements in midwifery education. The model she developed is not only applicable to midwifery but can also be adapted for nursing and allied health programmes in Nigeria and other developing countries, promising far-reaching impacts on healthcare education and maternal health outcomes.
Ige is a lecturer in the Department of Nursing at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria but hopes to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in the near future to further her contributions to healthcare education and policy development.
Ige credits much of her success to her supervisor, Dr Winnie Ngcobo, whose dedication, motivation, and constructive criticism were instrumental in her academic journey.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Ige has a deep love for travelling, both for recreation and learning. She finds joy in discovering new cultures, ideas and innovations that broaden her perspectives and enhance her teaching and research.
Words: Maryann Francis
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
