The Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, on Tuesday inducted 29 new professionals into the physiotherapy profession, with five of them emerging with first-class honours.
The induction ceremony, held at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, featured the 2025 graduating class, christened the Class of Helianthus.
Speaking at the event, the Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB), Prof. Rufai Ahmad, underscored the importance of physiotherapists in modern healthcare, noting that the profession now plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating the root causes of pain rather than just the symptoms.
Represented by Mrs. Okunade Olufunke, Director of Physiotherapy Services, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, Prof. Ahmad emphasized that physiotherapy is no longer limited to hospital settings, calling on the new inductees to explore broader roles within the health system, including leadership, financing, and health information.
“The University has equipped you to serve society, not just yourselves or your families,” he said, urging the graduands to pursue further studies in health systems development and to specialise early in their careers.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who chaired the occasion, lauded the graduands and their families. He described physiotherapists as “architects of movement and champions of functional independence,” stressing the increasing importance of the profession in addressing evolving health challenges, such as aging populations, non-communicable diseases, and rehabilitation after trauma.
“You are not merely technicians of exercise,” he said. “You bridge the gap between illness and wellness, injury and recovery, dependence and autonomy.”
Adebowale urged the new professionals to uphold their oath, remain lifelong learners, and embrace innovation and advocacy.
Also addressing the inductees, the Provost of the College of Medicine charged them to go beyond clinical practice and become advocates for equitable access and visionary leaders in healthcare.
“The world you are stepping into needs more than practitioners—it needs reformers, collaborators, and humanisers of healthcare,” he said.
The Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Jesse Otegbayo, also congratulated the graduands, urging them to uphold the ethics and values of their noble profession. In a welcome development, he announced that UCH would offer automatic internship placements to 50 percent of the new graduates.
