FUHSO Attains Full COMS-A Membership As Vice-Chancellor Receives SRC Leadership Award

The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), has attained full membership of the Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A), with its College of Medicine formally recognised as a member of the continental medical education body.

The Certificate of Full Membership was presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Aba Uba, by the Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Edwin Ogwuche, during a ceremony at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The presentation followed the university’s official admission into COMS-A during the MedEdAfrica 2026 Conference and COMS-A Annual General Meeting held from July 6–8, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Professor Ogwuche had received the membership certificate on behalf of FUHSO at the event.

The certificate confirms that the College of Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, is a full member of COMS-A and is entitled to the rights, responsibilities and privileges provided under the consortium’s constitution while committing to its regulations and standards.

Speaking after receiving the certificate, Professor Aba Uba described the achievement as a major milestone for FUHSO, noting that it demonstrates the growing recognition of the university’s College of Medicine within the African medical education community.

He commended the leadership of the college for securing the membership and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to meeting the obligations and standards associated with the continental body.

Professor Edwin Ogwuche said the membership would create opportunities for FUHSO to collaborate with medical schools across Africa in areas including curriculum development, research, faculty development, accreditation and innovation.

He added that participation in the MedEdAfrica 2026 Conference improved FUHSO’s visibility and exposed the institution to emerging trends and best practices that would enhance medical training, research, innovation and healthcare delivery.

The conference, hosted by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in collaboration with COMS-A and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), focused on the theme: “Preparing Africa’s Health Workforce for an Uncertain Future: Harnessing Partnerships, Technology, Innovation and Leadership.”

Discussions at the event centred on key areas shaping the future of medical education, including competency-based medical education, artificial intelligence, simulation-based learning, digital technologies and harmonised accreditation standards across Africa.

Meanwhile, Professor Aba Uba has also received a Leadership Award from the university’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) in recognition of his contributions to the development and advancement of FUHSO.

The award was presented during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office by SRC President Mercy Inah Oyije, a graduate of the Department of Microbiology, alongside other council members.

Oyije explained that the recognition followed the SRC Awards and Dinner Night, where outstanding personalities within the university community were celebrated for their contributions.

She said the students honoured the Vice-Chancellor for his visionary leadership, commitment to academic excellence and efforts towards advancing the growth of the institution.

The events were witnessed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Godwin Friday Okibe; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Cecilia Ojabo; Registrar, Mr Michael Okoko Ogiji; and other members of staff.