The Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), has recorded significant growth in academic programmes, student enrolment, staffing, research and infrastructure within less than five years of its establishment, positioning itself as an emerging centre of excellence in health sciences education in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, disclosed this during the University’s maiden convocation ceremony, where he highlighted the institution’s progress from its humble beginnings in October 2022 to its current status as a growing specialised university dedicated to producing highly skilled health professionals.
Professor Audu said the University had expanded its undergraduate programmes from five at inception to 22, with 11 of the 13 programmes that had matured for accreditation securing full accreditation, while two received interim accreditation. He added that staff strength had increased from 239 to 892, while student enrolment had risen from 706 to over 6,000, with female students accounting for 64 per cent of the population.
The Vice-Chancellor attributed the University's development to the support of the Federal Government, particularly through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which he identified as contributing over 90 per cent of the institution’s infrastructural development and provision of teaching and research equipment. He listed key projects supported by TETFund to include faculty buildings, hostels, laboratories, library collections, clinical training facilities and water supply infrastructure.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Bauchi State Government, which provided the University's initial campus and allocated land at Dugunde for future expansion. The Borno State Government, he noted, had constructed 12 housing units for academic staff and donated ₦50 million towards the acquisition of specialised laboratory equipment for dentistry training. He further highlighted the support of the Federal Government, development agencies and other institutional partners in strengthening the University's growth.
Professor Audu said the University had also invested its limited resources in expanding student accommodation, establishing a dairy farm to promote entrepreneurship and practical learning, improving perimeter security and constructing a 2,500-capacity audio-visual centre to meet the growing demand for lecture and conference facilities. The institution has six blocks of male hostels accommodating 1,152 students and a female hostel with a capacity of 288 students.
On academic development, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that FUHSA was pursuing approval for additional undergraduate programmes, including Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Computer Science, Data Science, Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Physics. Five postgraduate programmes were also in the pipeline, subject to the necessary regulatory processes. He added that the University was seeking support to establish a centre of excellence for gynaecological cancer, while the Northeast Development Commission was supporting the establishment of an Institute of Maternal and Child Health.
The University has equally strengthened its research and international outlook through collaborations with institutions including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, alongside partnerships with Nigerian universities, teaching hospitals and other healthcare institutions. According to Professor Audu, these collaborations are expected to enhance clinical training, research capacity, technology transfer and access to specialised research facilities.
The maiden convocation marked another milestone in the University's development, with 50 pioneer graduates from the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, including three First Class graduates. The students also showcased more than 34 value-added nutritional products developed during their training, reflecting the institution’s emphasis on practical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. The Vice-Chancellor, however, identified the need for additional lecture halls, teaching laboratories, hostels, perimeter fencing, new faculty buildings and a modern library as priorities for sustaining the University's expansion.
Professor Audu expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, TETFund, the Bauchi and Borno State governments, partner institutions, the Governing Council, staff and students for their contributions to FUHSA’s progress. He reaffirmed the University's commitment to strengthening academic standards, expanding research and producing competent health professionals capable of contributing to improved healthcare delivery and national development.
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