Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in the professional nursing and midwifery examinations for its third set of Nursing Science students, with eight graduates earning First Class honours.

The feat was announced at the university’s third Nursing Science Induction Ceremony held at the Faculty of Law Auditorium, where 78 graduates were inducted into the nursing profession.

The ceremony also featured the announcement that the institution had secured approval to commence its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme in the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Founder of the university, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, said the approval followed a successful resource verification exercise by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the establishment of a College of Medicine.

Ade-Ojo said the university was established to provide young Nigerians with quality education, sound character and practical knowledge to enable them contribute meaningfully to society.

He described the Nursing Science programme as a key component of that vision, noting that investment in nursing education was deliberate and aimed at producing highly competent professionals.

“We do not want to merely produce nurses; we want to produce professionals whose competence, character, compassion and excellence will distinguish them in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

The founder added that his longstanding interest in medicine influenced his commitment to expanding the university’s healthcare programmes, describing the NUC verification and approval for a College of Medicine as major milestones.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Philip Oguntunde, urged the newly inducted nurses to explore opportunities beyond conventional hospital practice, particularly in education, research, entrepreneurship and healthcare leadership.

He said the evolving healthcare sector required nurses who could function not only as caregivers but also as educators, researchers, innovators and administrators.

Guest lecturer, Prof. Christianah Olanrewaju Sowunmi, who spoke on “Nursing Beyond the Hospital: Opportunities in Education, Research, and Entrepreneurship,” encouraged the inductees to embrace emerging technologies, including digital health and artificial intelligence.

According to her, while hospitals remain important workplaces, nursing offers broader opportunities in classrooms, research centres, healthcare administration and community-based interventions.

She identified changing population health needs, increasing healthcare complexity, technological advancement, expansion of preventive and community care, and growing demand for evidence-based practice as reasons nurses must broaden their professional horizons.

The Head of Department of Nursing Science, Dr Alice Ogundele, said the graduating cohort demonstrated that three professional qualifications could be obtained within the five-year programme.

She urged the new nurses to combine clinical competence with research, teaching, curiosity and innovation, noting that the sector needs professionals capable of identifying service delivery gaps and developing practical solutions.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Dr Ndagi Alhassan, described induction as the beginning of a professional journey governed by legal, ethical and professional responsibilities.

Alhassan, who was represented by Dr Modupe Ayoola, emphasised patient dignity, integrity, resilience, teamwork and continuous learning.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice in Nigeria in line with global standards.

The ceremony marked the transition of the 78 graduates from academic training into professional practice, underscoring the university’s growing contribution to healthcare education in Nigeria.