About Dokita

DOKITA is a WHO-recognised, peer-reviewed journal of the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association. DOKITA is the first medical journal to be produced in independent Nigeria and the first medical students’ journal in West Africa. The journal was first published in 1960 and is widely read among students and specialists. 

The Dokita Editorial Board

DOKITA Editorial Board is an organisation comprising bona fide medical students of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. The Board primarily publishes “DOKITA”, a WHO-recognised, peer-reviewed journal of the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association.

DOKITA Editorial Board also organises annual symposia, where topical issues relating to national growth and development are discussed, the Biennial GlaxoSmithKline-Emeritus Professor O. O. Akinkugbe National Inter-medical School Quiz Competition, the Biennial Professor J. A. Adeleye National Inter-medical School Essay Competition, periodic academic seminars/ training for medical students on research and scientific writing, and Scientific Conferences.

Our History

A Glance Into the Archives

DOKITA Editorial Board is the end product of the steadfast efforts of some of the pioneer students of the University of Ibadan (formerly, University College Ibadan) in the late 1950s. At the time, there was need to produce a publication which would serve more appropriately, the interest of the medical community in Africa, thus leading to the merger of two magazines – the Association of Medical Students’ (AMS) magazine and the “Hamattan” magazine – which were in existence at that time, after an agreement was reached between Moses Ilo and Ralph Hendrickse who were the Editors-in-Chief respectively.

The name “DOKITA” was chosen after deliberations among students of like minds, to buttress the fact that the journal was made by and for the African people. The presentation of the maiden edition of DOKITA on October 1, 1960 was a delight to all including the lecturers, principal officers of the institution and government of the country. This was evidenced by the goodwill messages which included that of Sir James W. Robertson, a pioneer patron of the journal and the Governor General of Nigeria at the time. Sir Francis Ibiam,  then Chairman of the University College Ibadan Council was also patron. The foreword of the first edition was written by Sir Kofo Abayomi, the first indigenious Chairman, Board of Governors, University College Hospital. The Board got congratulatory notes from the Sudanese Students’ Medical Society journal “EL HAKEIM” and the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Ian Douglas Wilson, of Lancet – an International journal in 1964. The first edition had a special feature which included the list of ‘The Famous Thirteen’ medical graduates of a Nigerian University (University College Ibadan). It is also worthy of note that the goodwill message of the second edition was written by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

DOKITA Editorial Board has weathered the storm and has sustainably forged ahead from 1960 till date. The Board has also delved into activities that would promote academic excellence in Nigeria and these include: annual symposia at which topical issues are addressed, the Biennial GlaxoSmithKline-Emeritus Professor O.O. Akinkugbe National Inter-medical School Quiz Competition, the Biennial Professor J. A. Adeleye National Inter-medical School Essay Competition, Academic Seminar/Training and Scientific Conferences.

We remain grateful to all past Board members, partners and sponsors who diligently steered this boat. Above all, God bless DOKITA Editorial Board, the University College Hospital,and the University of Ibadan. God bless our country, Nigeria.

Look through the archives of our journals