The Taraba State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo, has matriculated 612 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with authorities urging the new intakes to shun examination malpractice and uphold professional ethics.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Provost, Dr. Dorcas Dugule Sirgawi, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the students’ academic and professional journey, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to producing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
“As the Provost of this great college, I stand before you today with a strong sense of responsibility and pride. My vision is to build a citadel of learning that produces highly competent, ethically sound, and globally competitive nursing professionals,” she said.
She congratulated the students for successfully passing a rigorous selection process, noting that their admission reflected academic ability, discipline, and a genuine passion for the nursing profession.
Sirgawi emphasized that matriculation goes beyond ceremony, describing it as a formal induction into a noble profession rooted in compassion, competence, and commitment to preserving life.
“From today, you are no longer just aspiring students; you are student nurses and midwives in training, preparing to take on crucial roles in healthcare delivery,” she added.
The provost highlighted some of the institution’s achievements, including a 100 per cent success rate in the March 2026 Midwifery examination conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). She also cited strengthened academic standards, elimination of examination malpractice through the installation of CCTV cameras in examination halls, restoration of electricity supply, and improved ICT infrastructure.
Other milestones, according to her, include the college’s emergence as a TETFund beneficiary, the establishment of a fully functional ICT centre, provision of free Wi-Fi to support teaching and research, and enhanced welfare for staff and students.
She urged the matriculated students to remain focused and disciplined, while taking advantage of mentorship opportunities available within the institution.
“Take full advantage of the mentorship available to you. Respect your lecturers, abide by the rules of the college, and uphold the dignity of the nursing profession at all times,” she advised.
Sirgawi also reassured parents and guardians that their children were in safe hands, stressing that the college is committed not only to academic excellence but also to producing professionals who will positively impact society.
“Nursing is a calling. It requires sacrifice, resilience, and deep commitment to humanity. Stay focused, avoid distractions, and strive for excellence in all that you do,” she said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, represented by the Ministry’s Secretary, Solomon Nathaniel, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education.
Delivering goodwill messages, the Head of the Department of Nursing Sciences at Taraba State University, Dr. Kilo Nfor, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for ongoing developmental efforts at the college, describing them as a strategic investment in the state’s healthcare sector.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nathaniel Pius Merigi, urged the 324 nursing and 288 midwifery students to uphold professional ethics as future healthcare leaders.
The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Dr. Aisha Adamu, appreciated parents for supporting their children’s education and pledged continued collaboration with the college in training healthcare professionals to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
The ceremony, attended by government officials, professional bodies, parents, and other stakeholders, underscored the institution’s progress in academic excellence and infrastructure development.
It concluded with a charge to the students to remain disciplined, utilise the conducive learning environment, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of healthcare in Taraba State and beyond.
