AI will not replace scientists who embrace it, UNIOSUN don tells graduates

A don at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Olufemi Akanni, has warned newly qualified medical laboratory scientists against ignoring the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, saying those who fail to adapt to the technology risk being left behind.

Akanni gave the warning while delivering the guest lecture at the third induction and oath-taking ceremony for medical laboratory scientists at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

He said, “Artificial Intelligence will not replace Medical Laboratory Scientists, but those who use AI will replace those who do not,”

He urged the inductees to uphold professional ethics, comply with quality management systems and procedures, and pursue continuous professional development through regular training and retraining.

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Akanni also encouraged the graduates to contribute to the growth of Medical Laboratory Science wherever they practised, stressing that academic qualifications must be backed by competence, integrity and adherence to professional standards.

He cautioned them against rivalry with other healthcare practitioners, emphasising the importance of teamwork and mutual respect in delivering effective healthcare services.

According to him, every healthcare professional has specific responsibilities to discharge within the limits of their training, competence and professional licence.

Using a football team as an example, Akanni said every player had a role to perform and that the team’s success depended on the collective efforts of its members.

“Act well your own part,” he advised, urging the inductees to respect the roles of other professionals and work together to improve healthcare delivery.

The Acting Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Folorunso Dada, described the graduates’ examination performance as a historic achievement for the university’s programme.

He attributed the result to the students’ dedication, the commitment of lecturers and clinical instructors, the support of the university management, and the sacrifices of parents and guardians.

Dada urged the inductees never to compromise the accuracy of laboratory results, reminding them that every specimen represented a human life.

He also encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, particularly in emerging fields such as molecular diagnostics and artificial intelligence, to remain relevant in the evolving profession.

The Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Professor Mary Idowu Edward, described Medical Laboratory Science as a cornerstone of modern medicine.

She noted that accurate laboratory results were essential for disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring and clinical decision-making.

Edward urged the graduates to maintain high ethical standards, demonstrate professional competence and pursue further training to improve their knowledge and skills.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, represented by Mr Stanley Nkemakolam, commended the university’s achievements and reaffirmed the council’s continued partnership with the institution.

He stressed the importance of accountability, responsible conduct and adherence to professional standards, noting that public confidence in healthcare depended significantly on the reliability and integrity of laboratory services.

The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Philip Oguntunde, represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Professor Joseph Fabayo, congratulated the inductees and commended university staff, parents and regulatory authorities for their contributions to the graduates’ training.

Oguntunde described the 100 per cent pass rate as evidence of the quality of training provided by the department. He urged the graduates to uphold integrity, continually update their knowledge and become worthy ambassadors of the institution.

The class valedictorian, Miss Promise Itikpan, said the academic achievement marked the beginning of a demanding professional journey. She pledged that the graduates would uphold accuracy, ethical conduct and continuous learning in their work.

The ceremony, held at the Faculty of Law Auditorium on October 15, 2026, also celebrated the graduating class’s performance in the First and Final Professional Examinations of the MLSCN. The class recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in both examinations, with eight graduates earning First Class honours.