By Tajudeen Babamale
The University of Ilorin has inducted 63 new physiotherapists into the profession, marking another milestone in its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
In his opening remarks at the event held last Wednesday (December 3, 2025) at the University Multipurpose Hall, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, congratulated the inductees and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics as they begin their careers.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, the Vice Chancellor charged the new physiotherapists to embrace continuous learning, demonstrate compassion in patient care, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s health sector.
He noted that their training at the University of Ilorin had equipped them with the skills and character required to excel both locally and globally.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Biodun Alabi Sulyman, congratulated the 63 newly inducted physiotherapists and urged them to step confidently into their professional journey with diligence, versatility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Prof. Alabi noted that they represent only the second cohort of physiotherapy graduates produced by the College, a testament to the rapid progress and rising profile of the programme.
He described the induction as the beginning of an exciting yet demanding career path that requires not just academic knowledge, but also refined clinical skills, mature professional attitudes, and adaptive strategies suitable for today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
The Provost reminded the inductees that physiotherapy is a vital component of modern healthcare delivery, saying that society looks up to them as competent practitioners capable of assessing, diagnosing, planning, and implementing rehabilitative programmes tailored to improve or restore human motor functions.
While highlighting the wide range of therapeutic techniques and interventions within the physiotherapy profession, which include prescribed exercises, ultrasound, heat therapy, laser therapy, manipulation, as well as programmes designed for screening and preventing physical disorders, the Provost stressed that beyond these interventions, physiotherapists are professionally mandated to offer expert consultations within their scope, identify when patients require referral to other health professionals, evaluate treatment outcomes, and guide clients in appropriate self-management practices.
He encouraged the inductees to uphold professionalism, broaden their competencies, and contribute meaningfully to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond.
The Provost expressed confidence that the training received at the University of Ilorin had adequately prepared them to excel in the global health space.
Before administering the professional oath on the 63 new physiotherapists, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTBN), Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, commended the University of Ilorin for its consistency in producing well-trained physiotherapists to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Nigerian population.
Prof. Ahmad noted that although many universities across the country have applied to mount physiotherapy programmes, several are unable to meet the stringent requirements set by the Board.
He explained that this makes UNILORIN’s steady progress particularly commendable, as the institution has continued to demonstrate capacity, compliance, and a firm commitment to quality training.
He urged the University not to relent in its efforts, stressing that the sustainability of physiotherapy education in Nigeria depends on strong institutions that uphold high academic and professional standards.
The MRTBN Registrar also appealed to the University authorities to deepen their focus on postgraduate training, noting that producing more advanced-degree holders is essential for grooming future trainers who will support and sustain physiotherapy programmes across the country.
Speaking directly to the inductees, Prof. Ahmad charged them to enter the workplace with a mindset centered on service and societal improvement.
He reminded them that physiotherapists are regarded as problem-solvers in the healthcare system, and their success will depend on how well they prioritise meeting the needs of their patients and communities.
Delivering a lecture titled “Expanding the Scope of Physiotherapy in Nigeria: Hallmark of True Professionalism,” a specialist in orthopaedic rehabilitation, Prof. Ayodele Teslim Onigbinde, challenged the newly inducted physiotherapists to take responsibility for their professional growth by embracing continuous learning and active mentorship.
While explaining that the future of physiotherapy lies in knowledge expansion, innovation, and adaptability, the guest lecturer encouraged the inductees to take advantage of the vast resources available on the internet to deepen their expertise, keep up with global best practices, and stay informed about emerging developments in the field.
According to him, modern physiotherapy practice demands lifelong learning, and those who fail to continuously upgrade their skills risk becoming obsolete in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Prof. Onigbinde, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, also stressed the importance of mentorship as a core hallmark of professionalism.
He urged the new practitioners to not only seek mentors but to consciously mentor others as they progress in their careers, saying that mentorship helps build confidence, strengthen clinical competence, and sustain the profession across generations.
