Tal-hatu Hamzat

Tal-hatu Kolapo Hamzat (15 June 1970 – 11 January 2023) was a Nigerian professor of neurological physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan. He was the first African to become a professor of neurophysiotherapy and worked in the field of rehabilitation of individuals with post-central nervous system injuries, especially those with stroke and cerebral palsy. He was a fellow of several professional bodies and received many awards and grants for his research and academic work.

Early life and education
Hamzat was born on 15 June 1970 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in physiotherapy in March 1994. He continued his studies at the same university and earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in physiology of exercise in May 1998 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in neurological physiotherapy in February 2001.

Career and research
Hamzat began his professional academic career at the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan on 23 August 2001 as a lecturer I. He was promoted to a senior lecturer on 1 October 2004 and to a professor of physiotherapy on 1 October 2009. He was the second person to deliver an inaugural lecture as a professor of physiotherapy at the University of Ibadan on 6 February 2014, titled "From ward to ward: The neurophysiotherapist as a returning officer". He served as the head of the Department of Physiotherapy from 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2018.

Hamzat's research focus was on the rehabilitation of individuals with post-central nervous system injuries, with a bias in stroke and cerebral palsy. He developed and validated several assessment tools and intervention protocols for the management of these conditions. He also conducted studies on the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention and outcome of stroke and cerebral palsy in Nigeria. He published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. He also edited two books: Stroke Rehabilitation: Insights from Neuroscience and Imaging and Cerebral Palsy: Challenges for the Future. He was a reviewer and editorial board member of many national and international journals. He supervised and mentored many undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as junior colleagues.

Hamzat was a fellow of several professional bodies, including the African Academy of Sciences, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, the Physiotherapy Postgraduate College of Nigeria, the European Society of Neurorehabilitation, and the Institute of Management Consultants. He was also a member of several international organizations, such as the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation, the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine.

Personal life and death
Hamzat was married and had children. He was a Muslim. He died on 11 January 2023 in Nigeria. He was 52 years old.