In another landmark achievement, Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State has recorded a major milestone in medical laboratory science education, as its graduating students achieved a historic 100 percent 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 university’s spokesman, Mr Williams Olufunmi, in a statement said ihe feat was announced at the third induction and oath-taking ceremony of newly qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists of the university, where speakers challenged the inductees to uphold professional ethics, maintain uncompromising standards of accuracy and contribute to the advancement of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
According to him, the Acting Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Folorunso Dada, described the 100 per cent success rate as a historic first for the programme, attributing the achievement to the dedication of the students, commitment of lecturers and clinical instructors, support of the university management, and sacrifices of parents and guardians.
He said the success reflected years of rigorous academic work, practical sessions, laboratory demonstrations, clinical postings and research activities.
Also, he urged the new professionals never to compromise test results, stressing that every specimen represented a human life and that professional integrity must remain sacrosanct.
Congratulating the inductees, The Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Professor Mary Idowu Edward described Medical Laboratory Science as a cornerstone of modern medicine, noting that accurate laboratory results are essential to disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring and clinical decision-making.
She said the Society places enormous trust in healthcare professionals, and as medical laboratory scientists, they must strive to uphold that trust through diligence, competence, and ethical conduct.
Also, she encouraged them 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.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Olufemi Emmanuel Akanni of Osun State University, reinforced the call for professionalism, outlining four critical responsibilities for the newly qualified scientists: upholding 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 practice.
Akanni emphasised that academic qualifications must be matched by professional competence, strict adherence to established standards and a commitment to advancing the profession.
He highlighted the many benefits of Artificial Intelligence to Medical Laboratory Science insisting that “Artificial Intelligence will not replace Medical Laboratory Scientists, but those who use AI will replace those who do not.”
Similarly, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, represented at the ceremony by Mr Stanley Nkemakolam, acknowledged the excellence and giant strides of Elizade University and affirmed the continued partnership of the Council with the University,
He emphasised the importance of responsible conduct, accountability and 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, Professor Philip Oguntunde, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Professor Joseph Fabayo also 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.
The Vice-Chancellor 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.
For the newly inducted scientists, the Valedictorian Miss Promise Itikpan said the historic examination performance and academic distinctions mark for them, the beginning of a demanding professional journey in which accuracy, ethical conduct, continuous learning and commitment to human life must remain paramount, promising that they will prove their mettle.
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