No fewer than five students emerged with First Class honours as 29 graduates from the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, were officially inducted into the physiotherapy profession at a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
The 2025 graduating class, proudly dubbed the “Class of Helianthus,” celebrated their transition from students to licensed physiotherapy professionals in a colourful induction ceremony that drew top medical and academic figures from across the country.
Presiding over the induction, Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board, Professor Rufai Ahmad, highlighted the increasing relevance of physiotherapy in modern healthcare, stating that more professionals are needed to bridge service gaps in line with evolving patient needs. Speaking through Mrs. Okunade Olufunke, Director of Physiotherapy Services, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, the Registrar emphasized that physiotherapy is no longer limited to hospital-based care but is vital to holistic healthcare delivery.
“In the past, people visited physicians for pain relief. But today, pain is understood in context—symptoms from movement impairments are treated by physiotherapists, allowing for source-based rather than symptom-based treatment,” he said.
He encouraged the new professionals to look beyond personal gain and commit to strengthening the healthcare system by pursuing additional knowledge in health administration, financing, and information systems. “The era of practicing without specialisation is over,” he added, urging them to choose a path of expertise even before completing their internship.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who chaired the occasion, congratulated the graduands and their families, noting that the university had equipped them not only with knowledge but with critical thinking, empathy, and resilience—essential qualities for effective care delivery.
“In today’s complex healthcare environment, you are more than therapists. You are architects of movement and champions of recovery. Your role is pivotal in helping society navigate aging populations, the burden of non-communicable diseases, and the aftermath of trauma or illness,” he said.
He charged the inductees to be lifelong learners, compassionate caregivers, and fearless advocates for inclusive and innovative healthcare. “Your profession is rooted in restoring dignity and functionality. The society you are entering desperately needs your skills, advocacy, and leadership.”
Also speaking at the event, the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, called on the inductees to step forward not just as practitioners, but as advocates and visionaries. “The healthcare system needs those who will challenge barriers to access, innovate at every level, and humanise patient care—from the smallest rural clinics to high-end rehabilitation centres,” he stated.
In his goodwill message, Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, reminded the graduands that their induction is not a mere formality but a call to uphold the highest standards of the profession. He announced that UCH would be offering automatic internship placements to 50 percent of the new graduates, a move warmly welcomed by the audience.
As the Class of Helianthus took their oath, the atmosphere was charged with pride and optimism, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their professional journey—one defined by service, compassion, and a commitment to elevating healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.