𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗨𝗕𝗧𝗛, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗗/𝗛𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The College of Nursing Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital today Thursday, 27th August 2026, held its 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝗢𝗮𝘁𝗵-𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking a significant milestone in the history of nursing education at the institution.
The ceremony, held at the TETFund Hall, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, witnessed the formal induction of the pioneer graduates of the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes of the College into the nursing profession.
A total of 90 graduating students, comprising of general nurses and midwives, were inducted at the ceremony.
The occasion was hosted by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, who in her remarks congratulated the graduating students and described their induction as a defining milestone for both the students and the institution.
In her address, the Chief Medical Director noted that the ceremony represented not only the successful completion of the students’ academic and clinical training but also the beginning of their professional journey in one of the noblest professions known to humanity.
She charged the inductees to uphold the values of compassion, competence, integrity and selfless service, reminding them that society places enormous trust in nurses and that every patient they encounter would look to them not only for clinical expertise but also for empathy, reassurance, dignity and hope.
Professor Mrs. Ize-Iyamu further encouraged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning and remain adaptable in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment, particularly with advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, telehealth, simulation-based learning and evidence-based practice.
She also reminded them of their responsibility as ambassadors of the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, urging them to let excellence be their hallmark, professionalism their identity, compassion their guide and integrity their legacy.
The Provost of the College, Mrs. Abieyuwa B. Eweka, in her remarks also reflected on the historical journey of nursing education at UBTH, tracing the institution’s roots to the School of Nursing, University of Benin, established in 1975.
For decades, the School of Nursing earned a distinguished reputation for producing competent, disciplined and compassionate nurses who served with distinction across Nigeria and internationally. The school became synonymous with academic excellence, clinical competence and ethical nursing practice.
The transformation of the institution into the College of Nursing Sciences in 2022 marked a new chapter in this history. The maiden induction of the ND/HND graduates therefore represented the realisation of another significant milestone in the evolution of nursing education at UBTH.
The Provost described the inductees as the first ambassadors of the College, noting that their names would remain permanently engraved in the history of the institution as its pioneer graduates to be inducted from the College of Nursing Sciences.
She urged the graduates to recognise the responsibility that comes with being pioneers, stressing that their competence, professionalism, integrity and compassion would contribute significantly to shaping how future employers, patients and communities perceive graduates of the College.
The induction ceremony was conducted by the CEO Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), represented by the assistant director/ Head Certification Unit NMCN, Mrs. Anunobi Patricia.
The ceremony also attracted distinguished guests and stakeholders in nursing education and healthcare, including Professor Mrs. Roslyn E. Esewe, pioneer Head of Department, Maternal and Child Health, University of Benin; Aweibo Sunday, representative of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM); and other members of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital community.
Also present was the Director, Clinical Services and Training, UBTH, Dr. Emmanuel Osaro Osaigbovo; the Director of Administration, UBTH, Jim Uwadiae, Esq.; the DCMAC Clinical Services, UBTH, Dr. Osho Philip O; and the Director of Nursing Services, DNS Grace Arheghan, among other dignitaries and stakeholders.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to outstanding graduating students in recognition of their exceptional academic performance, clinical competence, leadership and excellence in specific areas of nursing practice.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) presented awards for outstanding performance in academics, clinical practice and leadership. Paul Rita Chimaijem emerged as Best in Academics and Overall Best Student, while Amos Benita was recognised as Best in Clinical Practice and Charles Prosper as Best in Leadership.
Other awards presented to outstanding students included Best in Medical-Surgical Nursing, awarded to Paul Rita Chimaijem; Best in Public Health Nursing, awarded to Musa Ibrahim; and Best in Midwifery, also awarded to Paul Rita Chimaijem.
The recognition of the students further underscored the College’s commitment to academic excellence, professional competence, leadership and the development of well-rounded nursing professionals equipped to contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery.
The maiden Induction/Oath-Taking Ceremony was a historic moment in the evolution of nursing education at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. As the pioneer graduates of the College of Nursing Sciences take their place in the nursing and midwifery professions, they carry with them the legacy of an institution with decades of service, excellence and commitment to healthcare education.
The ceremony therefore marked the beginning of a new chapter, not only for the inductees, but for the College of Nursing Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, as it continues its mandate of producing competent, ethical and compassionate healthcare professionals for Nigeria and beyond.
