The Health Storytellers Summit was a groundbreaking event that brought together health professionals, students, and storytellers. Themed “The Content Cure: Storytelling as a Tool for Elevating Health Awareness for a Healthier Tomorrow,” the summit was organised by the OAU Dental Students Association. The event took place on Saturday at the ACE Hall in the ICT Centre of Obafemi Awolowo University.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, is a widely respected medical practitioner and digital health advocate. With the simple yet profound statement, “Storytelling is powerful,” he set the tone for a day dedicated to the art of impactful health communication.
In his keynote address, Aproko Doctor passionately emphasised the urgent need for more creative and strategic storytelling in the health sector. He noted that, in the age of social media, where misinformation spreads rapidly, health professionals must harness the power of narrative to correct falsehoods and promote accurate information.
“News spreads faster than facts,” he warned, urging the audience to move beyond rigid medical jargon and adopt storytelling styles that are both compelling and emotionally resonant. He stressed that effective storytelling relies not only on what you say but also on how you say it.
Aproko Doctor advised using relatable characters to bring health messages to life, as people are more inclined to listen when they see themselves reflected in the story. “Not everyone is your target audience,” he added, encouraging communicators to clearly define who they are addressing to be more effective. He also spoke about the importance of creating anticipation, which keeps the audience engaged and eager to learn more. Finally, he reminded attendees that storytelling is not just about talking; it’s also about listening: “One crucial step in storytelling is listening to your audience.”
Following the keynote address, the summit continued with a vibrant panel session moderated by Mr Gbenga, who skillfully facilitated discussions around content creation, digital engagement, and the realities of medical storytelling in Nigeria. The panel featured notable figures in health advocacy, including Dr Rachael Babayomi (SR. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, LUTH), Dr Abraham Akinbami (The African Dentist), Dr Ifeoluwani Adetula (Team Lead, Zeronoma Initiative), and Dr Isaac Adeyemi (Ask The DentistNG). Each panellist shared their journey of using storytelling to educate, debunk myths, and make healthcare more accessible through digital platforms.
Their stories showcased the transformative impact of narrative on health education, particularly in demystifying complex medical concepts for the everyday Nigerian. Whether through social media, blogs, or community outreach, the panellists demonstrated that storytelling is more than entertainment—it is a bridge between knowledge and behaviour, science, and society.