Ola Orekunrin – Brown

Brown is a British–Nigerian medical doctor and founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria; a charity based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ola was born in London, England and grew up under the care of foster parents in Lowestoft. Her name “Ola” means “Wealth” in Yoruba. Ola graduated from Hull York Medical School at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest medical doctors in the United Kingdom.

After graduation, Ola worked for ten years with the National Health Service,South Africa, as a helicopter pilot with specialised training in aviation medicine, and from that, went on to pioneer the first air operated Emergency Medical Service in Lagos, Nigeria – Flying Doctors Nigeria Ltd.

Ola was motivated to start the charity to improve medical services in Nigeria, after experiencing the loss of her sister under difficult circumstances. Undaunted by obstacles, she successfully established Flying Doctors Nigeria in 2007 as the CEO. Ola is a member of both the American Academy of Aesthetic Surgeons and the British Medical Association. She was listed among Young Global leaders by World Economic Forum in 2013 and was also featured in the Forbes “30 under 30” list in 2011. She has lectured on entrepreneurship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Flying Doctors have 20 aircraft and 44 doctors who can deliver care en route to one of Nigeria’s hospitals. The company hires out their services to major events in Nigeria as well as offering insurance to wealthy companies and families in the country. Ola believes that improvements in her country’s position in the world will result from the action of entrepreneurs and not the government.