No fewer than 250 foreign -trained medical doctors and dental surgeons were on Tuesday inducted into the medical and dental profession by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) .

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

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate saud that the country has 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 beholds on new generation of doctors to be adaptable. innovative, research-oriented and lifelong learners.

Pate told the newly inducted medical doctors that Nigerian people expect doctors who are compassionate, ethical, accountable , committed to excellence and professionals 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 to never 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”..

Pate who acknowledged that many young medical professionals face important career decisions, including whether to practise within or outside Nigeria, said that while the government respects every individual’s right to pursue personal and professional aspirations, they should view their skills as an invaluable national asset adding that Nigeria needs their knowledge, energy, innovation and commitment.

He assured that the federal government remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s health system through strategic investments in infrastructure, human resources for health digital health, primary healthcare revitalisation, local production of medical commodities and improved healthcare financing.

The minister observed that the country is implementing reforms designed to build a more resilient, equitable and people-centred healthcare system that delivers quality services to all Nigerians.

He said, “We remain committed to improving training opportunities, enhancing workforce planning, supporting professional development and creating an enabling environment where healthcare professionals can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development
Pate stressed that the MDCN has, over the years, remained steadfast in ensuring that only competent, qualified and ethically sound practitioners are admitted into the medical profession and commended the Council for its unwavering commitment to maintaining standards of medical education, professional regulation and patient safety in Nigeria.
He stated that the event is not just a mere ceremony as it marks the culmination of years of rigorous academic study, clinical training, sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
He said, “It is a solemn transition from students of medicine to professionals entrusted with the sacred responsibility of preserving lives, alleviating sufferings, and promoting the health and wellbeing of our people. I congratulate every one of you on this remarkable achievement.Your journey to this day has undoubtedly been demanding. It has required years of rigorous academic study, clinical training, discipline and sacrifice”.
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.
He stated that the success recorded in the Assessment held from 10th to 11th June 2026 at the University College Hospital, |badan where 250 candidates emerged successful, comprising 238 in Medicine and 12 in Dentistry, was a testament to discipline, resilience, and intellectual rigour
Lesi noted that the conferment of provisional licence is not simply an endorsement of competence, but an acceptance of an enduring obligation to protect life, preserve dignity, and uphold the trust reposed in the profession by the society.
He said, “While competence earns respect, it is integrity that sustains trust; an essential currency in the relationship between healthcare providers and patients .Every patient must be seen as a human being rather than a statistic; every diagnosis carries emotional weight, and every clinical decision bears moral consequences. These realities demand not only technical proficiency but also empathy, sensitivity, and a strong ethical foundation. In moments where knowledge may be challenged, ethics must lead; and when strength wanes, a sense of purpose must sustain the practitioner
Healthcare within the National Development Agenda
On her part, MDCN Register, Prof Fatima Kyari urged the inductees to ensure that the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria serve 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.