Governor Radda Fast-Tracks Federal University of Health Sciences Funtua, Targets September 2025 for Student Admission

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to ensuring the timely takeoff of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua. The Governor made this declaration while hosting officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, led by Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of Universities Education, who were on an assessment visit to the university site.

Governor Radda explained the strategic reasoning behind the university's relocation to Funtua, stating that the decision was influenced by the educational disparity within the state. “When I first learned that this university was initially planned for Katsina, I was deeply concerned,” he said. “In Katsina Senatorial District alone, we already have three universities—Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Al-Qalam University, and the Federal University Dutsin-Ma. However, the entire Funtua Zone had no single university.”

The Governor emphasized Funtua’s strategic location, noting its accessibility to multiple Northwest states, including Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna. He explained that this geographic advantage further reinforced the necessity of siting the institution in Funtua to serve a broader regional purpose.

Highlighting the state government's proactive efforts, Governor Radda detailed the substantial investment already made in the university's infrastructure. “We did not wait for the federal government to begin construction. Instead, we allocated a secondary school for immediate use and invested over ₦2 billion in renovations. We also acquired an additional 50 hectares of land, for which compensation has been paid,” he revealed.

Speaking at the meeting, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of Universities Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, commended Governor Radda’s commitment to the project. She praised his administration for setting a precedent that will be remembered for generations, acknowledging the strategic importance of the university to the educational and healthcare sectors.

Governor Radda assured that the state government would continue to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure that the university commences student admissions by September 2025. He emphasized that the institution is not just a project for Katsina State but a vital asset for the entire Northwest region.

As Chairman of the Northwest Governors' Forum, Governor Radda reiterated his commitment to advancing higher education and healthcare development in the region, expressing optimism that the university would significantly contribute to the training of medical professionals and improve healthcare delivery in Northern Nigeria.