Professor Kehinde Tijani, a renowned Professor of Surgery at the University of Lagos, has highlighted the dangers of prolonged penile erections, cautioning that any erection lasting more than four hours is a medical emergency that could lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if left untreated.
During his inaugural lecture titled *“Man’s Reproductive System: Its Manufacturing Errors, Equipment Failure, and Failed Deliveries,”* Prof. Tijani emphasized the importance of seeking immediate specialist care for such conditions, warning that a delay beyond 24 hours could result in irreversible damage.
He also advised parents to consult specialists if they notice abnormalities in their children’s sex organs, noting that many of these issues can be corrected before the child reaches an age of gender self-awareness. Additionally, Prof. Tijani called for better training of healthcare workers to identify genital abnormalities in newborns and infants.
Reflecting on his personal journey into urology, Tijani shared how his interest in the field was sparked by observing his grandfather’s urinary issues. He also highlighted the challenges urology patients, especially elderly men, faced during his student days, particularly those with urethral catheter complications.
Prof. Tijani warned about the real and present risk of penile fractures, advising couples to avoid sexual positions that significantly increase the risk of injury. He also addressed the growing prevalence of infertility among couples, stressing that men should undergo semen analysis as part of the evaluation process, given that males account for at least 50% of infertility cases.
In his recommendations, Tijani called for the establishment of facilities for MRI-TRUS fusion prostate biopsies to aid in early prostate cancer detection. He also advocated for the immunization of boys against the Mumps virus before puberty to reduce the risk of related reproductive issues later in life.
The lecture covered various topics, including hypospadias, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and male infertility, providing valuable insights into these critical health concerns. Prof. Tijani noted that hypospadias, a congenital anomaly in which the urethral opening is not located at the tip of the penis, occurs in about 1 in 150–300 live births and can lead to complications such as abnormal urination and a downward curve of the penis.
Further, he outlined findings from his research on genitourinary injuries in Lagos, revealing that the most common cause of such injuries was industrial machinery, with victims mostly aged 20-29 years. In the last 20 years, he confirmed 11 cases of these injuries, including some caused by accidents involving fan belts and, in one case, a jealous spouse.
Addressing the serious condition known as priapism, Tijani described it as a painful, prolonged erection unrelated to sexual stimulation. He explained that the most dangerous form, ischemic priapism, cuts off blood flow to the penis, leading to a high risk of permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated promptly.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, praised Prof. Tijani’s significant contributions to urology, particularly his innovative technique for treating hypospadias and his groundbreaking research on the causes of urethral stricture disease. She congratulated Tijani for his achievements and for delivering an insightful lecture.
At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Ogunsola formally recognized Tijani’s accomplishments, stating, “On behalf of the Senate, you are hereby discharged and acquitted,” officially welcoming him to the ranks of professors who have fulfilled their academic obligations to the university.
