Q and A session with a past mentee- Timilehin Oladosu

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Have any questions about the mentorship program as mentee or mentor? Ask them to our past mentee, Timilehin Oladosu!

Timilehin Oladosu is a public health researcher and monitoring and evaluation professional with expertise in strengthening the Nigerian healthcare system. His research focus revolves around optimizing primary healthcare, digitizing primary healthcare, infectious diseases and epidemic preparedness, primary prevention strategies, health and social outcomes, and health equity.

Timilehin Oladosu served as a mentee during the 2023 mentorship program.

*iCHORDS will answer any general questions related to the program.

[Anonymous]

Dear aspiring mentees and colleagues,
My name is Timilehin Oladosu, a Monitoring & Evaluation professional dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. Through the mentorship program, I gained a robust epistemological framework for research that transformed my practice and enriched my dissertation.
I am excited to share my experiences—whether you have questions about the application process, the program’s outcomes and impacts, or life after the program. Feel free to reach out via email or LinkedIn. I look forward to supporting your journey.

[Anonymous]

Hello Timilehiin,
My name is Souad Saidou, and I’m from Benin. I recently applied for the iCHORDS 2025–2026 mentorship program. I am an early-career researcher specializing in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, and I am currently working on a PhD proposal focused on female genital schistosomiasis — a field that remains largely neglected in my country. I see this mentorship as a valuable opportunity to connect my research with broader efforts being made around NTDs.
I’m truly inspired by people who have previously participated in this program, and I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience. I hope you won’t mind if I ask a few questions — it’s simply a reflection of my eagerness to learn!

How did you choose your project topic or the focus of your collaboration with your mentor?
How did you organize your interactions over the six months?
What were the main challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Did your mentor help you achieve concrete goals (such as a publication, funding, etc.)?
What helped you the most in advancing your project or career during the mentorship?
What tools or methods did you use to structure your exchanges?
How did you stay motivated and consistent with virtual meetings?
Looking back, what would you do differently?
Have you stayed in touch with your mentor after the program? If so, how?

Thank you very much for your time and generosity!

[Anonymous]

Hi Saidou, nice to connect with you.
1. My dissertation was centered around immunization, but the proposal I developed during the program was centered around integrating FGS into the PHC system, which also happens to be a neglected thematic area in Nigeria.
2. We met at least once a month.
3. The main challenge was availability. My mentor and I were in regular communication regarding the scheduling of meetings.
4. She helped with the development of the proposal, but I was unable to submit it for a grant application due to unforeseen circumstances.
5. My readiness to learn was the key to completing the mentorship program. We used emails and Microsoft Teams for our exchanges. Zoom is another viable option.
6. It was a period during which I was also developing the proposal for my dissertation, and my mentor was ready to guide me through the process from the basics to the outcome.
7. I wish the duration of the program were longer
8. Yes, I have stayed in touch with my mentor. We exchanged contacts at the end of the program. I also have her mailing address in case I need to reach out to her.
I hope I have been able to help answer your questions. If you need any further clarification or have any other questions regarding the program, kindly reach out to me.

[Anonymous]

Hello Timilehin,
How are you today?
My name is Ogundipe Bosede, a Nigerian and I hold a PhD.D in Medical Sociology.
I recently applied for the iCHORDS 2025- 2026 mentorship program and was successfully selected to be a mentor. I worked in NTDs program towards the end of my career in the civil service for close to 14 years. I served as the coordinator/ Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria from January 2019 till I exited the civil service in January 2025.
Kindly permit me to ask a few questions which I believe will help me be an effective mentor to my mentee.
1. Having served as a mentee, I want you to share your personal experience with me regarding the way you organised your interactions with your mentor over the six months?
2. What were your expectations from a good mentor before the commencement of the mentorship program? Were these expectations met?
3.What are your recommendations for both mentors and mentees to be efficient, effective and successful?

Big thanks.
Dr. Ogundipe Bosede.

[Anonymous]

Hi, Dr. Ogundipe. Nice to connect with you.
1. We met at least once a month using one of the teleconferencing platforms. My mentor scheduled all our meetings while I checked in via email to notify her of my availability and vice versa. We exchanged texts and communicated through email for the duration of the program. We both had a knack for timeliness of response and follow-up when it comes to communication.
2. I needed guidance navigating certain parts of my career. These included developing a proposal for a grant. This skill helped in writing my grad school dissertation. Yes, my expectations were met.
3. The mentor and mentee should follow the SMART principle. They should clearly define their goals and how to attain them from the beginning of the program. This will enable both of them to monitor, evaluate, and provide periodic feedback to each other during the program.
I hope I have been able to help answer your questions. If you need any further clarification or have any other questions regarding the program, kindly reach out to me.

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