The College of Nursing Services at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, is set to induct its first 109 graduates as part of efforts to address shortages of healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

The Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, disclosed this on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, saying the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) would induct the graduates into the profession on Thursday.

Olabanji said the graduates had completed their four-year training programme and passed the required qualifying examinations following the upgrade of the former EKSUTH School of Nursing and Midwifery to the College of Nursing Services in 2022.

“The first set of students admitted in 2022 have now completed their training,” he said, describing the induction as an important step in confirming their professional qualifications and eligibility to practise.

He added that the NMCN’s induction process would formally recognise the graduates’ training, certification and professional status, enabling them to practise in accordance with applicable requirements.

Olabanji said the college was established partly to help tackle the shortage of healthcare workers, which has been compounded by the migration of medical professionals to other countries.

“EKSUTH College of Nursing Services has now risen to that challenge to bridge that gap. This is a critical mass of professionals that will fill that gap, and we will continue to do that,” he said.

The Provost of the college, Dr Olabisi Awe, said the institution had modern facilities and qualified personnel to provide students with high-quality professional training.

Awe commended Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the NMCN and the EKSUTH management, among others, for their support in advancing the college’s training objectives.