FUHSO Gets Full COMS-A Membership as VC Bags SRC Leadership Award

The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) has received a Certificate of Full Membership from the Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A), formally recognising the University's College of Medicine as a full member of the continental body.

The certificate was presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Aba Uba, by the Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Edwin Ogwuche, during a brief ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor's Office on Monday, 20 July 2026. The presentation followed the University's formal admission into COMS-A at the MedEdAfrica 2026 Conference and COMS-A Annual General Meeting, held from 6–8 July 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Professor Ogwuche received the membership certificate on behalf of the University.

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 all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges provided under the Consortium's Constitution, while undertaking to abide by its rules and regulations.

Speaking shortly after receiving the certificate, Professor Aba Uba described the recognition as a significant milestone for the University, noting that it reflects the growing reputation of FUHSO's College of Medicine within the African medical education community. He commended the leadership of the College for securing the membership and reaffirmed the University's commitment to upholding the standards and obligations associated with COMS-A membership.

Professor Edwin Ogwuche, Provost of the College of Medicine, said the University's admission into COMS-A would create opportunities for collaboration with medical schools across Africa in curriculum development, research, faculty development, accreditation, and innovation. He noted that participation in the MedEdAfrica 2026 Conference enhanced FUHSO's visibility within the African medical education community and exposed the institution to emerging trends and best practices that would further strengthen its commitment to excellence in medical training, research, innovation, and healthcare delivery.

The MedEdAfrica 2026 Conference, hosted by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in collaboration with COMS-A and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), was held under the theme, “Preparing Africa's Health Workforce for an Uncertain Future: Harnessing Partnerships, Technology, Innovation and Leadership.” Discussions at the conference highlighted competency-based medical education, artificial intelligence, simulation-based learning, digital technologies, and harmonised accreditation standards as key priorities for medical education on the continent.

In a related development, the Vice-Chancellor was honoured with a Leadership Award by the University's Students' Representative Council (SRC) in recognition of his visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the institution.

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

Speaking during the presentation, Oyije explained that the recognition followed the Awards and Dinner Night organised by the students over the weekend, during which outstanding personalities within the University community were celebrated for their contributions. She noted that the students unanimously resolved to honour the Vice-Chancellor "in recognition of his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to academic excellence, and invaluable contributions to the growth and advancement of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo."

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