The Nigerian Army College of Nursing, NACON, in affiliation with the University of Lagos, UNILAG, has officially launched its Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree programme with a maiden matriculation ceremony on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Held at the NACON College Auditorium in Myhoung Barracks, Yaba, Lagos, the event marked the beginning of a new academic chapter as the first cohort of students was formally inducted into the BNSc programme.
The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UNILAG and NACON on October 17, 2022, aimed at expanding the frontiers of nursing education through a collaborative model of excellence.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated the matriculating students and described the occasion as the start of a transformative journey.
She noted that nursing is not only a noble profession but one that demands unwavering dedication, empathy, and professionalism.
“This is not merely an academic exercise,” she said, “but the beginning of a life of service. Your training here will equip you not just with the science of healing, but with the art of caring.”
Professor Ogunsola assured that the partnership between NACON and UNILAG goes beyond formalities, stressing that all academic standards, examinations, and policies are aligned with the university’s benchmarks to ensure global credibility and recognition of the BNSc degree.
She highlighted the programme’s potential to foster academic rigour, groundbreaking research, and access to international opportunities including collaborative research and exchange programmes.
She also urged the new students to see themselves as future leaders in healthcare, especially in the face of the growing shortage of nurses in Nigeria due to emigration pressures. “Let your vision be clear, your hearts be kind, and your resolve be unshakable,” she advised.
The ceremony’s high point was the formal presentation of the matriculating students to the Vice-Chancellor by the Commandant of NACON, Colonel Juliana Awuto, followed by the administration of the matriculation oath by the Registrar of UNILAG, Mrs. Victoria Wickliffe.
Dignitaries present at the event included top members of the UNILAG management team, senior officials from the Nigerian Army, and stakeholders from the health and education sectors.
It will be recalled that the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted approval in 2023 for NACON to run the BNSc programme in affiliation with the University of Lagos, setting the stage for what stakeholders have called a “partnership that works” in advancing quality healthcare education in Nigeria.