The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has charged the fresh medical graduands of the institution to avoid the get-rich syndrome and all temptations to engage in illicit practice. He noted that medical practice was getting more sophisticated all over the world, urging the inductees to sustain the profession’s tradition of excellence and be good ambassadors of their Alma Mater.
Prof. Agboola gave the charge while declaring open the induction and call to the Medical profession of the 31st Set [Batch A] of newly qualified medical doctors held on Monday, 22nd September, 2025 at the auditorium of the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS), Sagamu Campus. The event, where the new set of 76 doctors took the Hippocratic Oath, was conducted by the Registrar of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof. Fatima Kyari, who was represented by Dr. Tijjani Mandaka. The Vice-Chancellor, in his speech, congratulated the medical graduands on their landmark achievements. He expressed confidence that the newly qualified doctors, just like the previous products of the University, have proved their mettle in all spheres of medicine meritoriously. He admonished them to see their induction into the medical profession as a call to service to humanity and God, adding that they must also be committed to their oath and live its every word.
“I am gladdened by the fact that today, we are inducting a new set of global ambassadors as medical doctors into the global field of medicine. We have learnt to face the reality of the times that we are in, which is characterised by massive exodus of doctors to the outside world. And for the fact that our products have proved their mettle in all spheres of medicine meritoriously, I know that your class will not be an exception, by the grace of God,” Prof. Agboola declared.
He advised the young doctors to learn from the elders and senior colleagues in the medical profession even as he enjoined them to actively participate inthe activities of the Alumni Association of the University towards moving the institution forward.
While commending the resilience of the graduands which culminated in their successful induction, the Vice-Chancellor also appreciated their parents and guardians for providing the necessary support. He equally commended the efforts of the staff of the College, the Chief Medical Director of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital and her team, as well as the Olabisi Onabanjo University Medical Alumni for the sustained cooperation that facilitated the feat being celebrated.
Prof. Agboola highlighted some of the efforts being made by the University Management to enhance the quality of medical practice and other programmes in the Sagamu Campus.
He said, “This administration has committed itself to improving the quality of teaching and learning, such that significant investments are regularly made on infrastructure and facilities that would enhance our capacity in keeping pace with the trend in the educationsector and in response to the yearnings of the society. Since the inception of the current administration, everyone can testify to the various developments across our campuses, including this very Campus, where we have increased the quality of the environment to stimulate teaching and learning.
“May I also hint that in a couple of weeks, a Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre will be commissioned right here for the use of our students. Our human resources are also being regularly improved upon. Recently, a massive recruitment exercise was carried out to engage new academic staff to fill identified gaps in many of our academic programmes. Similar exercise was carried out to strengthen the non-teaching workforce.”
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the commitment of his administration to the focus of the founding fathers of the institution on knowledge, skills and value which had been redefined with the concept of 3Es – Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship.
“We believe that if you are knowledgeable, you should be able to further your education; if you have acquired the right skills here, you should be employable; and for you to really add value to the society, you must be an employer of labour. That is why more emphasis is now being placed on the entrepreneurship component of each of our programmes, so that no graduate of OOU will be jobless on graduation, but they will be employers of labour,” he noted.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Scienceand Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed that measures were being put in place to increase the carrying capacity of the University to admit more students for the medical profession. He said the Visitor to the University and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was committed to tackling the challenge of access to tertiary education and limited carrying capacity of institutions.
The commissioner said, “I want to use this opportunity to assure the Vice-Chancellor and the entire community of Olabisi Onabanjo University and the College of Medicine that I’m aware of the efforts of government to ensure that the carrying capacity doubles. What we have now is 75 and when we look at avalanche of requests for admission, it’s almost overwhelming.”
“Every year I do compilation from the government side and today, I know the number I have asking for medicine and people will be telling me that I should help them to do the magic. But I know as a former Vice-Chancellor about thelimitations. The carrying capacity will definitely be doubled. Our Governor is actually making efforts.”
“I’ve told the Vice-Chancellor, there are some things we intend to do within the next few months. We have talked about the lecture rooms that we are working on and he has given me a list of others which we have actually forwarded in a memo to the Governor. So, we hope that when we do this, at least double the number by having 150, that would actually help a number of parents that are yearning to have their children become medical doctors.”
Delivering a lecture entitled “Beyond the White Coat: Intentional, Creative, and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Medicine,” the Guest Speaker, who is also the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, described the inductees as healers and architects of a new era in medicine. He challenged the new doctors to be intentional, creative and also have entrepreneurial mindset in their career. His words: “Some might say medicine is rigid, bound by protocols and procedures. But I say: creativity is the heartbeat of innovation. It is what led to laparoscopic surgery. It is what birthed mobile health clinics in underserved communities. It is what will help you solve problems that textbooks never imagined.”
“As Nigerian doctors, you face unique challenges, limited resources, systemic gaps, cultural complexities. But these are not barriers. They are invitations to think differently. Creativity is not just for artists. It is for problem-solvers. And medicine needs more of them.”
The Guest Speaker, who is a Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Medicine, urged the new doctors to wear their coats with pride and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, saying “as you take your oath today, remember this is not just a personal milestone but a national investment.” He added, “Obafemi Awolowo once said, ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ You are that future. So prepare intentionally. Create courageously. Build entrepreneurially. Let your legacy be more than your title. Let it be your transformation of lives, systems, and society.
“I urge you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and empathy. Treat every patient with dignity and respect, recognising that behind every diagnosis, there is a human being in need of care and reassurance.
As you embark on this journey, embrace challenges with confidence, seek opportunities for growth, and never lose sight of the passion that brought you to this field. You are not just practitioners, you are pioneers, caregivers, and changemakers.”
At the event, a prominent member of the medical alumni and former Commissionerfor Health in Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, announced a N1million donation to the best medical graduand among the inductees, Dr. Jokotade Khadijah Okuribido.
Dignitaries who witnessed the induction included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olatundun Oderinde; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Oladipo Olubomehin; Registrar, Dr. Bayo Orukotan; Bursar, Mr. Olufemi Sowunmi; OACHS Provost, Prof. Musili Fetuga, and the OOUTH Chief Medical Director, Dr Oluwabunmi Fatungase.
Other guests in attendance were former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka; former House of Representatives members Hon. Adesegun Adekoya and Hon. Adekunle Adeyemi; State Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Dr. Peter Afunanya; Dagburewe of Idowa, HRM, Oba Sikiru Kayode Okuribido as well as distinguished Medical elders.