The Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr Donald Ofili has cautioned Nigerian scientists against compromising technology in global healthcare by upholding quality standards in their professional practice.
Dr Ofili gave this charge in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday during the 10th Induction and Oath-taking ceremony of 49 graduating Students of Medical Laboratory Science at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
This is just as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), also inducted 353 graduating Students of College of Engineering, of same university ABUAD into the profession.
Delivering his address at the University’s Induction ceremony, themed: “Medical Laboratory Excellence: The Role of Early Careers”, Ofili urged the Inductees not to compromise the effective laboratory service delivery, in the advent of advancing technology.
Ofili, represented by a top official of the Council, Ini Edeh, also charged them to be technologically proficient and ethically grounded, as healthcare continues to evolve globally, adding that combining scientific innovation with integrity, would guarantee patients’ safety and accurate diagnosis.
According to him, adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS) and continuous technological adaptation, would also help Nigeria, bridge the gap between traditional laboratory methods and modern diagnostic innovations, shaping global healthcare.
Ofili also encouraged the graduands to engage in Continuous Professional Development, (CPD), and stay informed about emerging technologies in molecular biology, automation and data-driven diagnostics, while also imploring them to maintain precision, accountability and professional discipline in all aspects of their duties.
He commended founder of the university, Afe Babalola, SAN’s commitment to quality-driven education, and his alignment with MLSCN’s standards, noting that such collaboration would continue to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
“Quality is not optional; it is the foundation of medical laboratory science. Leverage automation, molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence and genomics to improve efficiency and accuracy, but always remain guided by ethics and professionalism.
“Your responsibility is not only to produce test results, but to guarantee their reliability. Quality and ethics define the true scientist not just technical ability.
“ABUAD has proven that excellence in medical laboratory science is achievable when quality and technology work hand in hand. With discipline, innovation, and integrity, these graduates will shape the future of diagnostic medicine in Nigeria and beyond”
In her address of welcome, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Smaranda Olarinde, charged the inductees to practise the profession with excellence, empathy, ethics and progress.
She also urged them to be reflections of the conduct, competence and compassion of the Institution, adding that they should uphold the highest standards of honesty, precision, ethical values and professionalism.
In his lecture, the Director of Medical Laboratory Science, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Prof Godwin Avwioro, urged the Inductees to develop strong organisational habits, observe team culture, and build professional relationships.
These, he said, would make them to overcome challenges on the field, such as limited equipment, documentation users, errors in results and infections, among others.
In a similar development, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), also inducted 353 graduating Students of College of Engineering, ABUAD into the profession.
In his speech, COREN Registrar, Prof Obinna Uche, represented by Tomide Akinnawo, urged the Inductees to be good ambassadors of the University, saying such action would edge them among their peers.
In his lecture titled: “Engineering, The Future: Building Sustainable Innovations with Purpose, Ethics and Impact”, Prof Olaitan Akinsanmi, lamented over the shortage of active Engineers in the country, saying over 300,000 professionals are needed to service infrastructure, energy and industrial needs of the profession
Prof Akinsanmi noted that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), had earlier revealed that there were 85,179 registered engineers in Nigeria, as of November 2024, noting that these figures are not enough to tackle and control the overwhelming challenges in the industry.
Reeling out some of the achievements of the College, the Provost, Prof Moses Onibonoje, revealed that 15 of the Inductees had developed, and deployed a 5 kVA Hybrid Solar PV Power Supply System, as a back-up for essential loads in the College Build He also emphasised that eight of the College lecturers, had been listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (2025), which according to him, is a remarkable testament to their research strength.
