… Inducts new MLS graduates as eight bag First Class

… Don urges inductees to utilise AI or risk being left behind

Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, in the Ifedore Local Council Area of Ondo State, has disclosed that its graduating students achieved a historic 100 per cent success rate in both the first and final professional examinations of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), with eight graduates earning First Class honours.

The feat was revealed during the university’s third induction and oath-taking ceremony for newly qualified medical laboratory scientists, with the institution harping on its growing profile in health sciences education and capacity to produce industry-ready graduates.

The Acting Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Folorunso Dada, attributed the achievement to the dedication of the students, commitment of lecturers and clinical instructors, support of university management, and the sacrifices of parents and guardians.

Dr Dada noted that the outcome was the culmination of years of rigorous academic work, practical laboratory sessions, demonstrations, clinical postings, and research activities.

He charged the inductees never to compromise test results, stressing that every specimen represented a human life and that professional integrity must remain sacrosanct, urging them to see their new status as a call to service rather than an ordinary career advancement.

The Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. Mary Idowu Edward, described Medical Laboratory Science as a cornerstone of modern medicine, noting that accurate laboratory results are indispensable to disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and clinical decision-making.

She reminded the inductees that society places enormous trust in healthcare professionals and that they must uphold that trust through diligence, competence, and ethical conduct.

Prof. Edward encouraged the new scientists to embrace lifelong learning, particularly in emerging fields such as molecular diagnostics and artificial intelligence, and to pursue further training to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

Delivering the keynote address, the guest speaker, Prof. Olufemi Emmanuel Akanni of Osun State University, outlined four critical responsibilities for the newly qualified scientists.

He harped on the need to uphold the ethics of the profession, adhering strictly to quality management systems and procedures, engaging in continuous professional development through training and retraining, and promoting the growth and development of medical laboratory science wherever they practise.

He emphasised that academic qualifications must be matched by professional competence, strict adherence to established standards, and a genuine commitment to advancing the profession.

“A degree certificate is only a licence to begin learning. The true measure of a medical laboratory scientist is found in the accuracy of every result released, the integrity of every decision taken, and the consistency of every standard upheld. Continuous training and retraining are not optional; they are the lifeblood of a profession upon which millions of lives depend.

“Artificial intelligence will not replace medical laboratory scientists, but those who use AI will replace those who do not. The future belongs to professionals who combine sound ethical judgement with technological fluency, and I charge you to position yourselves on the right side of that divide,” he said.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, who was represented by Mr Stanley Nkemakolam, acknowledged the excellence and giant strides of Elizade University and affirmed the Council’s continued partnership with the institution.

He emphasised the importance of responsible conduct, accountability, and strict adherence to the professional standards governing medical laboratory practice, reminding the new scientists that public confidence in healthcare depends significantly on the reliability and integrity of laboratory services.

The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof. Philip Oguntunde, who was represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Prof. Joseph Fabayo, congratulated the graduates and commended the university’s staff, parents, and regulatory authorities for their contributions to the training of competent healthcare professionals.

He urged the inductees to uphold integrity, continually upgrade their knowledge, and become worthy ambassadors of the institution through excellence and service to humanity.

Prof. Oguntunde noted the growing importance of quality professional training in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, where laboratory accuracy plays a critical role in diagnosis, disease surveillance, and effective treatment.

He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to maintaining the standards that produced the historic result and to expanding its footprint in health sciences education.

For the newly inducted scientists, the valedictorian, Miss Promise Itikpan, said the historic examination performance and academic distinctions marked for them were the beginning of a demanding professional journey in which accuracy, ethical conduct, continuous learning, and commitment to human life must remain paramount.

She pledged, on behalf of her colleagues, that they would prove their mettle and bring honour to their alma mater and the profession.

The ceremony concluded with the administration of the professional oath and the presentation of certificates to the inductees, formally admitting them into the ranks of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.