The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Mr. Ndagi Alhassan, has inducted 76 graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) of the University into the nursing profession, charging them to uphold professional ethics, lifelong learning, and digital competence.

Speaking on behalf of the Registrar, Dr. Aliyu Adamu gave the charge while delivering the Registrar’s address at the Induction Ceremony. He congratulated the graduates on the successful completion of their training and commended their lecturers, parents, and guardians for their academic, moral, and financial support throughout the programme.

He applauded the graduates for their enthusiasm, diligence, and hard work, noting that the undergraduate training has equipped them with the knowledge and skills required for effective clinical practice. He urged them to remain steadfast to the professional oath administered at the ceremony, assuring them of a bright future anchored on commitment and faith in God.

According to the NMCN Registrar, the induction ceremony formally admits the graduates into the noble profession of Nursing, enabling them to bear the professional title,” Registered Nurse (RN).”  He emphasized that the presence of the Council at the ceremony underscores the importance attached to induction, professionalism, and standards in nursing practice.

Mr. Alhassan described the B.NSc programme as a rigorous academic and professional training designed to produce multivalent nurses capable of delivering safe, efficient, and holistic healthcare services. He explained that the programme empowers nurses to make sound nursing diagnoses, design and implement appropriate care plans, and evaluate outcomes comprehensively.

Highlighting the realities of the digital age, the Registrar urged the new nurses to embrace technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery. He noted that AI and digital competence are transforming nursing education and practice by enabling more precise, efficient, and personalized patient care, adding that the future of the profession rests with the younger generation of nurses.

The NMCN boss also admonished the graduates to pursue higher degrees and continuous professional development, noting the vast opportunities available for highly qualified nurses within and outside Nigeria. He stressed the need for strict adherence to professional ethics, humility, and honesty at all times.

The induction lecture titled “Global Care, Local Roots: Understanding the Dynamics of Nigerian Nurses’ Journeys Abroad, Lessons, Motivations, and Challenges” delivered by Dr. Goodluck Nshi, explored the global relevance of nursing practice while emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong professional and cultural roots.

Dr. Nshi described nursing as a global profession whose practitioners are shaped by local identity but whose impact transcends national boundaries. He noted that Nigerian nurses are increasingly visible across healthcare systems worldwide, contributing skill, resilience, and professionalism.

The speaker identified several factors motivating Nigerian nurses to seek opportunities abroad. These include access to advanced education and specialization, such as Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) roles, better working conditions, economic advancement, and the desire for global impact.

He highlighted differences between international Nurse Practice Acts and the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council Act, particularly in areas of authority, role differentiation, and professional autonomy.

Addressing unemployment and under-employment, Dr. Nshi described the situation as a troubling paradox. He cited data indicating that over 42,000 Nigerian nurses migrated abroad in the last three years, with about 15,000 leaving in 2023 alone, worsening an already critical workforce shortage. Nigeria currently has 1.5 nurses per 10,000 people, far below the World Health Organocation (WHO} recommended 3.75, with rural areas being the most affected, he said.

Sharing lessons from the global nursing journey, he emphasized that Nigerian nursing training is a “superpower,” urging nurses to combine humility with confidence, commit to lifelong learning, develop cultural intelligence, and uphold integrity as a universal professional currency.

Dr. Nshi encouraged skill transfer, advocacy, ethical mentorship, and deliberate efforts to give back to the nursing profession in Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba, in his address, charged the newly inducted nursing graduates to uphold compassion, professionalism, and a strong sense of national responsibility as they embark on their careers in healthcare, noting the academic excellence and perseverance of nursing graduates who successfully completed their training and were found worthy for induction into the nursing profession.

He emphasized that nursing is more than a profession, describing it as a calling that demands compassion, dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to humanity. According to him, empathy and kindness remain the most powerful tools nurses possess in healing and comforting patients.

Professor Ayuba advised the graduates to value the guidance and experience of senior professionals in the field as they navigate their careers.  He urged those who choose to work overseas not to forget their roots but to bring back valuable lessons, skills, and global best practices that could strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA), also known as the Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN) enlisted the newly inducted nursing graduates, charging them to uphold excellence, resilience, and compassionate service in their professional careers.  Mr. Ojo Opeyemi noted that the event marked not only the end of years of rigorous academic work but also the beginning of a transformative journey of service to humanity.

He reminded the new nurses that, as university-trained professionals, they possess a unique blend of critical thinking, innovation, and compassionate care that positions them as leaders in healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond. According to him, nurses are not only caregivers but also educators, innovators, and guardians of life, with a responsibility to positively redefine the healthcare system, 

Mr. Opeyemi explained that the association provides platforms for mentorship, professional networking, and scientific engagement through monthly peer-review sessions and its annual National Professional Conference and Scientific Update. 

Also speaking on behalf of Graduands, the Best Graduating Student, Madu Chikaodinaka Ruth, described the journey to becoming a nurse as one marked by resilience, shared growth, and unforgettable memories.

Reflecting on the early days of their training, Ruth recalled the excitement of first wearing scrubs and handling stethoscopes, as well the uncertainty that accompanied learning the fundamentals of nursing care. She noted that the years that followed were filled with intense academic work, clinical exposure, and emotional moments that ultimately shaped them into professionals.

Registrar of the University, Mr. Daburi Bello Misal in his closing remarks appreciated the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Alhassan for the momentous support, the lecturers and staff of the department, and the University management for their sacrifices and congratulated inductees for enduring the rigorous training, wishing participants a memorable yuletide celebration.

The event was concluded with Awards presentation to the best graduating students by the Head of Department and President of the National President University Graduates of Nursing Sciences Association (UGONSA) and followed by a group photograph. 

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Office of the Vice-Chancellor 

Bingham University