Meet David Obagbuwa: The 21-year-old who defied the odds to become a doctor

AT just 21 years old, David Obagbuwa has made history as one of South Africa's youngest medical doctors after graduating from Stellenbosch University.

Having made this promise at age 15, his remarkable achievement defies conventional timelines in medical education and inspires a new generation of young aspiring doctors.

Obagbuwa received his MBChB on Thursday, completing a journey that began when he entered SU’s medical programme at an age when most pupils are in Grade 10.

He persevered through the pressures of early university life and the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown, emerging with a degree he had long envisioned earning at 21.

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Obagbuwa moved to South Africa when he was 11 and attended Kharwastan Secondary School in Durban. A misunderstanding placed him in Grade 9, but he thrived and remained in the grade, adjusting to learning alongside older peers. He joined SU’s 2020 intake, calling his admission a dream realised.

“It’s a dream that has indeed come true, but it feels surreal,” he said of his graduation. “This achievement is a testament to the mentorship, support, and world-class education I’ve received from the Stellenbosch community. I’m incredibly grateful and it feels truly special to now reach the end of this journey with the same institution that believed in my potential from the very beginning.”

He credited the Tygerberg Campus community for shaping his development beyond academics. “It’s not just about finishing at this age, but also about how much I’ve grown. The people I’ve met, and my experiences here have truly shaped me. I’ve learnt to be empathetic and disciplined. This degree has a way of humbling you and deepening your passion for the field.”

Starting his degree at 15 came with its own challenges. “At first, it was exciting to get into medical school. But walking into lecture halls and libraries and being the youngest person in every room was also intimidating,” he recalled.

The pandemic intensified the difficulty. “The COVID-19 lockdown separated us and we had to do everything online, so it affected my social life. When we resumed in 2021, I was able to integrate in the university community and focus on work and learning from others. Everything fell into place and eventually age stopped being the defining feature about me. I became just another student mastering the art of science and medicine.”

He often battled self-doubt. “There were times when I thought I’m so young and have to meet all these expectations. But then I’d tell myself it’s less about my age, and more about consistency, accountability and reactions.”

Detailed planning and discipline kept him on course. “Showing up even when it was hard made all the difference. I sometimes pulled all-nighters to meet academic requirements. Balancing work with hobbies like going to gym stopped me from burning out.”

In his spare time, he enjoyed hiking, playing football, attending rugby matches and listening to podcasts on metaphysics, moral philosophy and medical ethics.

Obagbuwa will now begin his internship at Phologong Hospital in Gauteng’s East Rand, where he hopes exposure across disciplines will help guide his specialisation. 

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