Health practitioners have been called upon to be the guardians of ethics by ensuring that technology serves all patients equitably, democratising learning and care opportunities rather than exacerbating existing divides.
Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the 12th Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, made the call on Thursday while delivering the 7th convocation lecture of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, titled; “Adapting to the AI-Driven Future of Medicine: Educating Equipping and Leading Nigeria’s Health Workforce for Emerging Clinical Realities.”
Ogundipe said the effective implementation of AI in Nigeria’s health sector means embedding it into the core enterprise infrastructure rather than treating it as a siloed initiative.
According to him, AI has emerged as a major tool for altering the medical ecosystem and it is essential that the society accept it.
He maintained that the educational institutions such as the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State must lead the way in building AI-compliant human resources capable of employing AI to improve healthcare.
“AI is fast going from experimental to operational in medicine by augmenting diagnosis, triage, prediction, and administration. However, its safe and equitable impact requires physician literacy, local validation, robust governance and continual monitoring.
“By embracing lifelong learning, mastering new tools, and leading with ethical integrity, we can create a future in which technology and humanity collaborate to improve patient outcomes.
“We must use every tool at our disposal to assist patients with compassion, expertise, and integrity. Allow technology to enhance, rather than replace your humanity. The future of medicine in Nigeria is not predetermined it will be molded by the decisions we make,” Ogundipe said.
While the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reiterated the commitment of his administration to invest more in education, research and innovation, particularly in the health sector, as part of its broader agenda for human capital development.
According to the governor, the healthcare remains a top priority of his administration.
Aiyedatiwa said; “we recognise that no health system can rise above the quality of its manpower. This is why our government remains committed to supporting UNIMED in its mandate to train competent, ethical and compassionate medical professional.
“Besides, we have remained committed to prompt release of subventions to UNIMED. This institution remains our pride in the state and we must continue to give it all our support.”
Ayodele Arowojolu, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo said the university was committed to advancing research and innovation, improving healthcare outcomes for Nigeria and the global community, with a strong focus on excellence and transformation of lives.
According to him, “our university remains a young and expanding institution that requires sustained financial, material and infrastructural support to overcome its developmental challenges.
“UNIMED is still the only university in Ondo State yet to commence operations at its main site. In this regards, I respectfully appeal to the Ondo State Government to facilitate the construction of road networks within the university’s main site.
“Also, I will like to use this opportunity to appeal to the Ondo State Government for an increment of the university subvention so that unpaid workers salaries and arrears of salary increase can be paid in order to ensure the maintenance of industrial harmony within the university community.”
Arowojolu, therefore, said education was not only a pathway to professional success but also a powerful tool for shaping character, broadening perspective, and fostering a lifelong commitment to service and impact.
Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, in her address urged the graduands to carry the values, discipline and knowledge they have acquired at the university into the wider world.
On infrastructure, according to the VC, “the university is witnessing unprecedented development. And we are grateful to the Ondo State Government for its continuous support, including the commitment to tar a five-kilometre road network within our main campus and the release of N500million as the first tranche for the construction of a Senate Building.
“Digitally, our internet capacity has been upgraded from 155 Mbps to 700 Mbps, supported by fibre-optic infrastructure and solar inverter systems. Our CBT Centre and University Health Centre are now fully powered by solar energy, ensuring uninterrupted services.”
Adejuyigbe, who also spoke on the academic quality and research of the institution, said that all their academic programmes are now fully accredited, following the recent assessments with positive feedback from regulatory bodies.
She said that six of their academic staff secured National Research Fund approvals, while one of their staff members, Peter Olumuyiwa was ranked among the top two percent of scientists globally for 2024 and 2025.
