The plaque is not just honouring a name. It tells us that our presence as Black nurses is not accidental; it is necessary. It reminds us that history is not just behind us – it is within us.
Shelley McLetchie, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at NMPC
15 October 2025
King's alumna Nurse Kofoworola Abeni Pratt celebrated at St Paul's Cathedral
A plaque honouring the trailblazing nurse and King’s alumna, Kofoworola Abeni Pratt, has been unveiled at St Paul’s Cathedral – recognising her achievements reshaping nursing in both the UK and Nigeria.
Born in Lagos in 1915, Pratt moved to London in 1946 to train at the Nightingale School at St Thomas’ Hospital – now the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care (NMPC) – becoming the first Black student to do so. She qualified as a state-registered nurse in 1949 and worked in the NHS during its founding years, before returning to Nigeria to lead transformation in health and nursing education.
Over the next two decades, she broke barriers: serving as the first Nigerian Matron of University College Hospital, Ibadan; Nigeria’s Chief Nursing Officer; Lagos State’s Commissioner of Health; and Vice President of the International Council of Nurses. Her contributions were recognised with the Florence Nightingale Medal in 1973 and a Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing in 1979.
Taking place during Black History Month, the unveiling is a timely reminder of the power of recognition. Speaking at the event, Shelley McLetchie, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at NMPC, reflected on Pratt’s lasting influence:
"Nurse Pratt was not only a pioneer – she was a force. She walked into spaces not built for her and still rose. Her story reminds us that Black excellence in nursing is not new – it is foundational. Let this plaque not be the end of our remembrance, but the beginning of renewed commitment to visibility, belonging and support."
The event, which also honoured Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist Sir James Black, brought together members of the nursing and healthcare communities to celebrate legacies that continue to shape care and compassion.
Today, Kofoworola’s story continues to inspire nurses around the world – and especially students and practitioners at NMPC who see their own journeys reflected in hers.
Kofoworola’s plaque at St Paul’s now stands as a lasting tribute to her courage and leadership – and a reminder of the brilliance, resilience and contribution of Black nurses, past and present.
In this story
Nursing pioneer
Associate Dean (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and Senior Lecturer in Nursing Education