Virtue Oboro is transforming healthcare in Nigeria’s rural areas. Though not formally trained in engineering, Virtue has pioneered innovative solutions in neonatal healthcare. Here’s a look at her journey and the role models who inspired her impactful work.
Virtue Oboro
The Role of Engineering in Healthcare
I used to think engineering was all about high-tech machines and complicated systems until I found myself in a dire situation in 2015. My son’s life was at risk because we didn’t have timely access to effective phototherapy care. That experience changed the entire trajectory of my life and career. It led me to invent Crib A’glow—a solar-powered phototherapy device that treats jaundice in newborns, even in rural areas where electricity is scarce. Today, Crib A’glow is lighting up nurseries and bringing hope to countless families.
Each step in designing Crib A’glow was fueled by the desire to address a critical healthcare challenge, ensuring that every child has a fighting chance. Through this journey, I’ve come to see engineering as a bridge between need and solution. Now, I’m leading a “Wolfpack” of change-makers dedicated to creating impactful changes in maternal and neonatal health.
The Crib A'Glow, which is a portable phototherapy unity that uses blue light to treat infants with jaundice.
My Role Models
I am constantly inspired by pioneers like Professor Samuel Achilefu, whose wearable technology allows surgeons to see cancer cells during surgery. His work motivates me to think beyond limits and imagine solutions that don’t yet exist. I also admire Dr. Nneka Abulokwe, who has broken barriers in tech and proven that African women can lead in innovation. Their journeys remind me that engineering is a powerful tool for creating a brighter future.
Virtue with a nurse and the Crib A'Glow.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate National Engineering Day, I urge everyone to remember that engineering is so much more than machines. It’s about hope, resilience, and the drive to create a better world. I am committed to expanding our impact in healthcare, focusing on maternal and neonatal health, and developing tools that will support more mothers and babies in underserved communities.
To all engineers out there—thank you for your dedication, creativity, and courage. Let’s continue building solutions that make a difference!