The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) yesterday inducted no fewer than 250 foreign-trained medical doctors and dental surgeons.

The new inductees comprise 238 medical doctors and 12 dentists who emerged successful in the assessment examination held from 10th to 11th June 2026 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said that the country had continued to confront challenges, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child mortality, mental health concerns, emerging infectious diseases and the growing impact of climate change on health.

Pate noted that Nigerian healthcare is undergoing unprecedented transformation, as advances in artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and digital health are redefining how healthcare is delivered.

According to him, it is incumbent on the new generation of doctors to be adaptable, innovative, research-oriented and lifelong learners.

Pate told the newly inducted medical doctors that Nigerians expect doctors who are compassionate, ethical, accountable, committed to excellence, and who will uphold the dignity of every patient, regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, economic status, or social background.

“Medicine is much more than a profession; it is a calling, every patient you encounter will entrust you with what is often their greatest possession- their health, and sometimes, their very lives. That trust must never be taken for granted. As you take the Physician’s Oath today, remember that competence alone is not enough.

Represented by the Director, Head of Dentistry, Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, the minister warned the inductees never to compromise their professional integrity and to reject all forms of malpractice, negligence, and unethical conduct.

“Let honesty, humility, empathy and respect define your practice. Remember always that the white coat you wear is not merely a symbol of knowledge; it is a symbol of trust, responsibility and service,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the MDCN Board, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, said the induction marks a significant milestone in the lives of new medical and dental practitioners who stand at the threshold of a noble profession.

Lesi described the event as a culmination of years of rigorous academic and professional training, and the beginning of a solemn covenant with humanity, a lifelong commitment to serve, to heal, and to uphold the dignity of human life.

On her part, MDCN Registrar, Prof. Fatima Kyari, urged the inductees to ensure that the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria served as a constant compass in their daily practice.

She also urged them to embrace service beyond personal comfort, uphold the highest ethical standards even in the absence of supervision, and to commit to lifelong learning in a field that is constantly evolving.