The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commenced verification of 18 degree programmes for the recently established Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu (FUAHSE), a step crucial for launching the university’s academic activities in the 2024/2025 session. This move follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval on March 15, 2024, to upgrade the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy into a full-fledged health sciences university.
Initially, the university’s senate sanctioned 22 degree programmes spread across five allied health faculties, although the NUC has selected 18 programmes for preliminary verification. The commission’s evaluation will determine if FUAHSE meets the required educational standards to deliver high-quality training across essential healthcare disciplines.
The university’s planned degree offerings span critical health areas, including Nursing Science, Dental Technology, Public Health, Health Education, and Medical Laboratory Science. Each programme is designed to address the nation’s healthcare workforce needs by producing skilled professionals capable of advancing public health and providing essential medical services across Nigeria.
Speaking before the verification exercise, Jude Akubue, NUC Academic Planner and team leader for the assessment, emphasized the historical importance of the visit for the university. “This visit will determine whether you have the nod to run these programmes as a university. We congratulate you on this transition and thank President Bola Tinubu for approving the university,” Akubue stated.
He added that the NUC verification team includes resource persons from esteemed institutions, such as Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, and Babcock University, each with expertise in allied health sciences. The evaluation will adhere to the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with FUAHSE expected to meet a minimum of 70% of the curriculum benchmark, while the remainder is tailored to the university’s unique focus on allied health sciences.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Emaimo expressed his gratitude to the NUC and the presidency, underscoring the impact FUAHSE’s transition will have on Nigeria’s educational landscape and healthcare system. “The university is starting today by virtue of this verification, and we are adding to the ranks of Nigerian universities to shape more young minds for society,” Emaimo remarked. He added that the institution’s focus is on meeting Nigeria’s urgent healthcare needs while creating avenues for youth development.
Emaimo affirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the verification process and preparing for future accreditation. He noted that while the university is “yet on paper,” this verification exercise will soon establish a solid foundation for FUAHSE’s operational launch.
