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ELIZADE UNIVERSITY SETS NEW BENCHMARK IN NURSING EDUCATION AS STUDENTS EXCEL NATIONALLY
…VC says AI Can Never Replace Human Compassion in Healthcare
The future of nursing lies at the intersection of human compassion and technological innovation, stakeholders in the healthcare sector have declared at the Annual Lecture Series of the West African Postgraduate College of Nursing and Midwifery (WAPCNM), Ondo/Ekiti Chapter, hosted in collaboration with Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin.
The event, which drew nursing professionals, academics, healthcare practitioners and students from across the region, provided a robust platform for intellectual engagement on the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery in the digital age.
With the theme, “The Holistic Student Nurse: Building Resilience Today, Embracing the Technology of Tomorrow,” the lecture explored the imperative of equipping the next generation of nurses with the emotional strength, professional competence and technological skills required to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Philip Oguntunde, emphasized that the modern nurse must be much more than a healthcare practitioner.
According to him, patient care transcends clinical charts, prescriptions and treatment protocols, requiring a deep understanding of the physical, emotional and psychological needs of patients.
“The holistic nurse is one who recognizes that healthcare is about treating the mind, body and spirit. Nursing demands enormous emotional investment, and for anyone to succeed in such a profession, resilience is indispensable,” he said.
Professor Oguntunde noted that resilience should not be mistaken for the absence of stress or challenges but rather the ability to adapt, grow and maintain empathy even under the most demanding circumstances.
He explained that the rigours of nursing education, from intensive academic schedules and examinations to emotionally demanding clinical experiences, serve as a crucible for developing the strength of character required for professional excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, stressed that resilience alone would not be sufficient for success in the healthcare systems of the future.
“Resilience without the right tools is like sending a soldier to the battlefield without armour. We are now living in an era defined by artificial intelligence, telehealth, wearable health technologies and high-fidelity clinical simulations. Technology is no longer an optional luxury in nursing; it has become the very fabric of modern healthcare delivery,” he stated.
Dispelling fears that emerging technologies could replace nurses, Professor Oguntunde argued that technological advancement would instead empower healthcare professionals to devote more time to the uniquely human aspects of care.
“Artificial intelligence can process data, but it cannot offer genuine compassion. Technology can automate tasks, but it cannot replace critical thinking, empathy and intuitive care. These remain the enduring strengths of the nursing profession,” he said.
He added that Elizade University remains committed to producing not only technically competent graduates but emotionally intelligent, resilient and socially responsible healthcare professionals capable of leading in a rapidly changing world.
The Guest Lecturer, Professor Adelani Tijani, delivered an insightful lecture that underscored the transformative changes currently reshaping healthcare globally.
Describing nursing as “a lifelong commitment to humanity from birth to death,” Professor Tijani observed that contemporary nursing students face challenges unlike those encountered by previous generations.
According to him, the profession is being redefined by artificial intelligence, telemedicine, genomic medicine, digital health platforms and globally interconnected healthcare systems, making adaptability and continuous learning more critical than ever.
“The student nurse of today must be prepared not only to work within these emerging systems but also to shape them,” he remarked.
Professor Tijani explained that a truly holistic student nurse is measured not merely by academic performance but by a combination of intellectual development, emotional resilience, ethical maturity, physical well-being, social consciousness, technological competence and compassionate service.
He challenged nursing students to become innovators and researchers capable of driving healthcare transformation rather than simply adapting to it.
“The future belongs to nurses who are research-driven, technologically agile and committed to advancing healthcare through innovation,” he added.
Earlier, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Dr. Alice Ogundele, described the lecture theme as a reflection of Elizade University’s educational philosophy and commitment to excellence in nursing education.
She noted that the institution’s nursing curriculum has been deliberately designed to produce graduates who are professionally competent, technologically equipped and emotionally resilient.
“The theme of this lecture is not merely a slogan; it is the blueprint for our nursing programme and the vision we have for every student who passes through our classrooms and clinical laboratories,” she said.
Dr. Ogundele highlighted the remarkable performance of Elizade University nursing students in professional examinations, describing the achievements as evidence of the institution’s growing reputation for academic excellence.
She revealed that the university’s pioneer nursing graduates recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in both Nursing and Midwifery professional examinations.
Providing further evidence of the programme’s quality, she disclosed that while the national average in the Community/Public Health Nursing professional examination stood at nine per cent in May 2025, Elizade University achieved an impressive 53 per cent pass rate. Similarly, in May 2026, when the national average rose to 80 per cent, Elizade University surpassed the benchmark with an outstanding 85 per cent success rate.
Speaking on the significance of the Fellowship programme of the West African Postgraduate College of Nursing and Midwifery, Mrs. Adebimpe Fatile, Fellow, and representative of the body, explained that the Fellowship represents the highest level of professional and academic attainment for nurses and midwives, designed to equip practitioners with advanced clinical expertise, research capacity, policy development skills and leadership competencies required to address emerging healthcare challenges in West Africa.
According to her, the College remains committed to producing highly skilled specialists capable of driving innovation, improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening health systems across the region.
Mrs. Fatile further encouraged young nurses and nursing students to aspire to the Fellowship cadre, describing it as a pathway to professional distinction and a platform for making meaningful contributions to healthcare delivery, education, research and policy formulation in Africa.
She commended Elizade University for partnering with the College to host the annual lecture series, noting that such collaborations are essential for nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals who must be resilient, technologically savvy and committed to compassionate patient care.
The lecture series reinforces Elizade University’s growing status as a centre of excellence in healthcare education and innovation, while reaffirming the critical role of resilience, technological competence and human-centred care in shaping the future of nursing practice in Nigeria and beyond.
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