Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo granted approval to commence health science courses

Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria – The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given its approval to the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo (FUHSO) to begin offering Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.), and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) courses at the institution. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Innocent Ujah, made this announcement during the 3rd Matriculation ceremony held at the institution’s Otukpo GRA Campus.

Prof. Ujah expressed his appreciation to the NUC for granting the institution permission to offer these critical health science courses, stating that the programs would commence in the coming year. He also revealed that the approval for a B.Sc. in BioInformatics is currently in the final stages of completion.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the remarkable growth and development the young university has experienced, attributing it to the dedication and commitment of the management, staff, and students.

During the ceremony, Prof. Ujah expressed concern over the implementation of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) policy in Nigerian universities. He revealed that some lecturers at FUHSO have not been paid due to issues with the IPPIS system, and he urged for its overhaul to address the challenges faced by the university staff.

The Vice Chancellor also called on the federal government to address the inadequate funding of the institution, stressing the significant impact FUHSO has made in the areas of health, education, and the economy within just three years of existence.

The matriculation ceremony saw 89 new students officially welcomed into the university, in addition to the 161 students matriculated in May, bringing the total number of matriculated students for the 2022/2023 academic session to 250.

Chief Godwin Obla, the Guest Lecturer at the event, advised the newly matriculated students to avoid living beyond their means and to embrace hard work as the pathway to success in life. He encouraged them to take responsibility for their expenses, citing examples from peers in the Western world.

Representing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, pledged to sustain the partnership with FUHSO to continue making positive impacts on Nigerian education.