NURSING AND EXCELLENCE AT EKSU: A DEPARTMENT SETTING THE PACE IN NURSING EDUCATION.
By OMOTAYO, Peter Olatunde.
Excellence is the quality of being exceptionally good, superior, or distinguished by outstanding performance. In recent years, reports emerging from the Department of Nursing Science, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, have demonstrated that the department is steadily establishing itself as a centre of academic excellence, professional competence, and moral discipline.
Today, the Department of Nursing Science has strengthened its position as a promising destination for nursing education in Southwest Nigeria, recording remarkable milestones that reflect the university's commitment to quality education and professional development.
Located within the College of Medicine, the department commenced operations with an admission quota of 50 students. This was subsequently increased to 100 students following the institution's fulfilment of the relevant requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The maiden set, comprising 54 students—47 females and seven males—was admitted during the 2019/2020 academic session, marking the beginning of what has become an encouraging success story in nursing education at the university.
One of the most remarkable features of the department is its consistent record of excellent performance in professional examinations and academic assessments.
The pioneer set was inducted into the nursing profession on December 12, 2024, following its successful academic training. The students recorded a 100 per cent success rate in the Professional Basic National Midwifery Examination conducted by the NMCN, with Miss Ogunbunmi Abisola Mary emerging as the overall best-graduating student.
This achievement demonstrated the effectiveness of the department's teaching methods, academic supervision, and commitment to preparing students for the demands of professional nursing practice.
The second set, comprising 59 students, also recorded impressive academic results. Among the graduates, Oyedotun Oluwanifemi Emmanuel distinguished himself by graduating with First Class Honours and emerging as the overall best-graduating student.
The third set has equally sustained the department's record of excellence. During the third induction and oath-taking ceremony held on October 20, 2026, the university celebrated another milestone in the department's development.
Notably, two of the 38 students in the set, Ikusemori Peter Oluwatobi and Igbalajobi Easy Olamiji, distinguished themselves with distinction-level performances in the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) programme.
In addition, Ajayi Ifedolapo Mary and Igbalajobi Easy Olamiji recorded credit passes in the professional midwifery examinations conducted by the NMCN in September 2026, alongside distinction-level performances in their BNSc final examinations.
These accomplishments further demonstrate the department's determination to maintain high academic standards and produce graduates capable of meeting the evolving demands of the healthcare profession.
With three sets of graduates recording 100 per cent success in their respective examinations, the department has established an encouraging tradition of academic and professional achievement.
A major factor contributing to these outstanding results is the calibre of academic staff engaged by the university under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele.
The administration has continued to demonstrate a commitment to advancing academic excellence through the provision of qualified personnel and an enabling environment for teaching, learning, and research.
Under the leadership of the Head of Department, Dr. Olofin-Samuel Mary Ayodeji, the academic staff have remained committed to effective teaching, research, mentorship, and the professional development of students.
Their dedication to imparting knowledge, strengthening students' clinical competence, and upholding professional ethics has contributed significantly to the department's growing reputation.
The combination of experienced lecturers, effective academic supervision, and a commitment to continuous improvement has helped create an environment where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in both theoretical knowledge and practical nursing skills.
Another important factor behind the department's progress is its purpose-built Nursing Science Complex, which provides an enabling environment for teaching, research, and professional training.
The facility is equipped with modern offices, laboratories, seminar rooms, and a mini-library, providing students and lecturers with essential resources for academic and practical activities.
The availability of these facilities has strengthened the department's capacity to deliver quality nursing education and prepare students for the realities of contemporary healthcare practice.
During the third induction and oath-taking ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated his administration's determination to expand the facilities available to the department and upgrade the programme to meet internationally recognised standards.
This commitment reflects the university's broader vision of developing its academic programmes, improving infrastructure, and positioning EKSU as a competitive institution in professional education.
Beyond classroom instruction and laboratory activities, clinical experience remains an essential component of nursing education.
The role of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in the training of nursing students is therefore crucial. Through clinical exposure, students have opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills, interact with patients, and gain experience in different aspects of healthcare delivery.
This partnership between the university's academic environment and the teaching hospital's clinical setting helps prepare students to become competent, confident, and responsible professionals.
It also exposes them to the realities of patient care, teamwork, professional ethics, and the importance of delivering quality healthcare services.
The integration of academic learning with practical clinical experience is a major advantage in preparing graduates who can compete favourably with their counterparts in other institutions and contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond.
In another significant development, the university has secured approval from the appropriate authorities, including the University Senate and the National Universities Commission, for a postgraduate nursing programme.
The development is expected to expand the university's contribution to advanced nursing education, research, professional specialisation, and the development of future academic and clinical leaders in the healthcare sector.
The introduction of postgraduate nursing education will also provide opportunities for qualified nurses to pursue further academic advancement without necessarily looking beyond the institution.
This milestone represents another step towards strengthening the university's academic profile and broadening its contribution to the development of the nursing profession.
The department's achievements have contributed to its growing visibility among prospective students seeking admission to study Nursing Science.
The increasing interest in the programme reflects the importance attached to quality nursing education, professional competence, and the opportunities available within the healthcare sector.
However, the growing demand also presents a challenge, as the number of candidates seeking admission reportedly exceeds the department's current admission capacity.
This situation underscores the need for continued investment in infrastructure, academic personnel, clinical training facilities, and other essential resources to accommodate more qualified candidates while maintaining the standards that have contributed to the department's success.
With the university's leadership demonstrating a commitment to expanding facilities and improving academic programmes, there is considerable potential for the department to increase its capacity and reach more aspiring nursing professionals.
The progress recorded by the Department of Nursing Science, EKSU, Ado-Ekiti, within a relatively short period is worthy of recognition.
From its establishment in 2017 to the admission of its pioneer students in the 2019/2020 academic session, and the subsequent achievements of its graduating sets, the department has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, professional competence, and the advancement of nursing education.
Its achievements are supported by the dedication of academic staff, the provision of modern infrastructure, clinical training opportunities at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, and the commitment of the university management under Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele.
As the department continues to expand its academic offerings and strengthen its facilities, the need for sustained investment and institutional support remains important to its long-term success.
Ultimately, the goal of nursing education extends beyond producing graduates who excel in examinations. It involves nurturing compassionate, disciplined, knowledgeable, and competent professionals who can provide quality healthcare, respond effectively to emerging health challenges, and contribute to the wellbeing of society.
With its growing record of achievement, commitment to professional standards, and focus on continuous improvement, the Department of Nursing Science at Ekiti State University is well positioned to strengthen its reputation and contribute more significantly to the future of nursing education in Nigeria.
The department's story is a testament to what can be achieved when quality academic leadership, dedicated lecturers, appropriate infrastructure, and effective clinical partnerships work together towards a common goal: excellence in nursing education.
We sincerely appreciate the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Chancellor, members of the Governing Council, management, staff, alumni and development partners for their immense support and investment in making nursing education at Ekiti State University (EKSU) a success.
Omotayo Peter Olatunde is a staff of Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, Ekiti State University,(EKSU) Ado Ekiti.
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