Colonel Dr Gabriel Ishioye says his Nigerian education gave him the foundation to compete internationally, recounting how an unexpected switch to dentistry became the beginning of a career spanning private practice and senior military leadership in the United States....
Colonel Dr Gabriel Isioye says his Nigerian education gave him the foundation to compete internationally, recounting how an unexpected switch to dentistry became the beginning of a career spanning private practice and senior military leadership in the United States.
For Colonel Dr Gabriel Isioye, the journey to professional success in the United States began with a career decision he had not originally planned to make.
Although he had hoped to study medicine, his admission into dentistry at the University of Lagos changed the course of his life, eventually leading him into private dental practice and senior leadership in the United States Army Reserve.
Looking back on the experience, Isioye said his career choice was influenced by an encounter with a senior student who encouraged him to reconsider his plans after his examination results fell short of his expectations.
“I wanted to be a medical doctor but not dentistry,” he recalled during an interview on Diaspora Connect.
After his Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, Isioye said he considered switching to microbiology because he believed his results were insufficient for admission to medicine.
However, a senior student he encountered at the university’s registry office advised him to consider dentistry instead.
“He looked at my credentials, my results, and he’s like, ‘Why not do dentistry?’” Isioye recalled.
He said the encounter was particularly significant because students in the educational environment in which he grew up had limited access to career counselling that could help them explore alternative professional pathways.
The senior student’s explanation helped him reconsider his options.
“I just scratched microbiology, and I switched it back to dentistry,” he said.
The decision did not immediately translate into enthusiasm for his new course. Isioye admitted that he did not particularly enjoy dentistry during his first year, but his attitude changed as he progressed through the programme.
By his second and third years, he said, he had developed a genuine interest in the profession.
“And the rest is history, as they say,” he added.
Discovering purpose through education
Isioye’s experience highlights how an unexpected academic pathway can lead to opportunities that students may not initially envisage.
What began as an alternative to his preferred course eventually became the foundation of a career that combined clinical practice, entrepreneurship and military service.
After completing his dental education in Nigeria, he moved to Liberia, where he spent six years before eventually migrating to the United States.
He subsequently earned a doctorate from New York University and completed a residency at St Barnabas Hospital, according to the biographical introduction during the programme.
His professional development continued alongside his military career, which began when he joined the US Army Reserve in 2002.
Over the years, he undertook advanced military training, including the Command and General Staff Officer Course, and progressed into leadership positions within military medical units.
He now commands the 818th Hospital Centre in Utica, New York, overseeing more than 700 personnel, while maintaining his identity as a dental surgeon and entrepreneur.
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For Isioye, the journey reinforces his belief that the course a student initially desires is not necessarily the only route to professional fulfilment.
He said he now regards his unexpected entry into dentistry as part of a larger plan for his life.
“Whatever we try to do in life, sometimes we want to change things, and God has already ordained your destiny,” he said.
The value of Nigerian education abroad
One of the strongest themes in Isioye’s account is his confidence in the education he received in Nigeria.
Despite the challenges of establishing himself in a foreign country, he said his university education provided a strong foundation for professional advancement.
He recalled situations in which his accent and background appeared to influence how some colleagues perceived him in the US Army.
As a Black officer, he said, he had encountered discrimination and instances in which others appeared to underestimate his capabilities.
However, he drew confidence from his academic background and professional preparation.
“When I look at the kind of education Nigeria gave me, from the University of Lagos, up to today, I don’t think any country can beat, you know, because we had excellent education in Nigeria,” he said.
His comments offer a perspective on the contribution Nigerian universities can make to producing professionals capable of competing internationally.
His career also demonstrates the importance of combining academic qualifications with continuous professional development, practical experience and the ability to take on new responsibilities.
While his Nigerian education provided the foundation, his subsequent training and experience in the United States helped him expand his expertise in dentistry and military administration.
Beyond qualifications: The importance of determination
For Isioye, academic achievement alone does not guarantee success. He believes individuals must also understand their strengths, remain determined and be willing to work towards their ambitions.
Describing himself as a person with a strong drive to achieve his goals, he said young people must recognise that different individuals have different personalities and capacities.
“It’s hard work. You have to actually know what you want for yourself and the ability for you to be able to go through that journey yourself, because we are not all made the same way,” he advised.
He urged young Nigerians to assess their abilities and limitations while developing realistic plans for their futures.
He also stressed the need to balance professional ambition with family responsibilities, warning that an excessive focus on career advancement can affect other important aspects of life.
For students choosing courses and young professionals considering their next steps, his experience suggests that a change in direction need not represent failure.
His own journey began with an admission decision he had not originally intended to make. Through further education, professional development and military training, that decision became the starting point for a career across two countries and two demanding professional environments.
Ultimately, Isioye’s story is a reminder that education can open doors in unexpected ways, but the ability to recognise opportunities, remain committed and keep learning can determine how far those opportunities lead.