The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) has tasked 74 newly inducted Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) to prioritise accuracy and precision in laboratory tests.
Prof. Shehu Abdul-Rahaman, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, made a statement at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of the MLS graduates of the institution into the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) on Wednesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The VC represented by Prof. Ilemona Adofu, described the induction as a milestone in their professional journey because it was not just a ceremony or a formality, but a solemn transition from students to professionals entrusted with lives, diagnoses, and public health outcomes.
“By taking this oath, you are being admitted into a noble profession that forms the scientific backbone of modern medicine.
“Behind every accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, disease surveillance, and medical breakthrough stands the silent but indispensable work of the medical laboratory scientist.
“The healthcare system cannot function without you because even the Physicians depend on your results, public health decisions rely on your data, and patients trust the integrity of your analyses.
“The COVID-19 pandemic reminded the world that laboratories are not auxiliary spaces, they are frontline centres of truth, precision, and scientific integrity.
“You are entering a profession where accuracy saves lives, and negligence can cost lives,” the Vice Chancellor added.
Abdul-Rahaman further said that the oath that have taken was a commitment to professional competence, ethical, conduct, confidentiality, integrity and continuous learning.
The VC noted that as professionals, they must resist shortcuts, compromise, and unethical practices.
He urged them to always remember that science without ethics is dangerous, and knowledge without character is incomplete.
He also appreciated the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria for its guidance, oversight, and unwavering commitment to maintaining professional standards in the university.
The VC, therefore, said that their partnership was vital to the integrity of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and had helped them to produce graduates who can compete anywhere in the world.
On his part, Prof. Surajudeen Junaid, Dean, Faculty of MLS, appreciated the VC for unrelenting commitment, provision of the required funds, facilities and personnel towards seamless accreditation of the course by both the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).
He further congratulated the inductees, who are the second set of MLS graduates of the university, on the double awards of degrees and Associate Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AMLSCN).
He explained that the laboratory coat must symbolise trust, discipline, and responsibility, not merely professional identity.
The Federal University of Lafia is proud to present to the nation and the world graduates who have been trained not only in knowledge and skills, but also in character and professional discipline.
He also stressed that accuracy is paramount in medical lab work, as incorrect results can have dire consequences and urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of the institution.
Dr Donald Ofili, Acting Registrar of the council, emphasised the importance of professionalism, ethics, and continuous learning in the medical laboratory field.
He charged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of practice and contribute positively to the healthcare sector.
Ofili stressed that compromising laboratory results was unacceptable and that the council has zero tolerance for unethical practices.
He warned that anyone caught falsifying patients’ laboratory results would face severe sanctions. (NAN).
