NUJ Commends FUHSO VC’s Achievements, Seeks Partnership to Promote University’s Development

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has commended the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Professor Francis Aba Uba, for the remarkable progress recorded under his leadership in advancing the University's mandate.

The commendation was made during an assessment visit to the University by members of the NUJ Benue State Council on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Leading the delegation, the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, explained that the team, drawn from various media organisations across the state, visited the institution as part of the Union's constitutional responsibility to assess and report on developmental activities.

On behalf of the Council, Comrade Ugber congratulated Professor Uba on his appointment as the third substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, describing the appointment as a testament to his outstanding academic credentials, proven administrative competence, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of higher education in Nigeria.

He expressed confidence that under Professor Uba's leadership, the University would attain greater heights in teaching, research, innovation, and community service.

Comrade Ugber noted that the visit was in line with the statutory responsibility of the media as provided in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates the press to inform, educate, promote national development, and hold public office holders accountable.

According to him, the assessment was aimed at evaluating the University's infrastructural development, reviewing the progress made since its establishment, showcasing its achievements, and highlighting areas requiring government intervention and support from development partners.

He said the Union hoped that balanced, objective, and factual reportage would contribute to the growth of the University by highlighting both its achievements and areas requiring government attention, intervention from development partners, and support from other stakeholders.

Comrade Ugber further expressed the Union's desire for a mutually beneficial partnership with the University in promoting its programmes, policies, innovations, research breakthroughs, and other activities.

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor's leadership and the milestones achieved within a short period, particularly in staff welfare, including the payment of the outstanding 28-day statutory entitlement, which he said had significantly boosted staff morale and productivity.

The Council equally applauded the successful accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), describing it as a landmark achievement that has strengthened the University's academic reputation and affirmed its capacity to produce competent medical professionals.

The journalists also praised the ongoing development and relocation of the University to its permanent site, noting that the initiative reflects the administration's commitment to providing a conducive environment for teaching, learning, research, and innovation.

Comrade Ugber emphasised that a strong collaboration between FUHSO and the Nigeria Union of Journalists would enhance the University's visibility and strengthen public confidence in its mandate of producing highly skilled healthcare professionals and advancing medical education in Nigeria.

While appreciating the warm reception accorded the delegation by the University's Management, the NUJ Chairman assured the Vice-Chancellor of the Council's continued commitment to professionalism, fairness, objectivity, and developmental journalism.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Aba Uba, expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the visit and commended the Federal Government for establishing FUHSO to address the nation's healthcare manpower needs.

Highlighting achievements recorded under his administration, Professor Uba disclosed that the University has expanded its academic offerings with six additional programmes, including:

• Nursing Science
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Public Health and Epidemiology
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology

He also revealed that the University's B.Sc. Mathematics programme offers tuition-free scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students.

The Vice-Chancellor added that more academic programmes and colleges would be introduced in the near future. He further disclosed that tuition fees had been reduced from ₦500,000 to ₦190,000 to make quality education more accessible to students from less privileged backgrounds.

Professor Uba stated that the University's student population has grown to over 2,300, while staff strength has increased significantly.

He noted that the payment of the statutory 28-day allowance and the introduction of a 13th-month salary were the first of their kind in the University's history. He added that previously uncaptured staff had been enrolled into the payroll and were receiving salary arrears owed over the past two to three years.

On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that major projects at the permanent site, including the University Gatehouse, Administrative Building, College of Medicine Complex, Principal Officers' Quarters, and the Departments of Physics and Microbiology, have reached about 95 per cent completion.

He further revealed that the female hostel at Akwete-Akpa and the Multi-User Central Teaching and Research Laboratory at the Teaching Hospital have been completed and are ready for use.

According to him, construction of access roads within the permanent site is ongoing through the intervention of the Federal Government under the TETFund intervention programme.

Professor Uba expressed optimism that the FUHSO College of Medicine, upon completion, would rank among the best in Nigeria and Africa.

He also announced that the second clinical accreditation exercise for the MBBS programme by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had been successfully conducted and that the University's pioneer MBBS students had commenced their professional examinations.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the University remains open to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to accelerate its development agenda.

He assured the NUJ of the University's willingness to collaborate with the Council, adding that FUHSO continues to enjoy cordial relationships with its host communities and the Benue State Government.

On security, Professor Uba disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the deployment of a Police Mobile Force (MOPOL 72) detachment to strengthen security within the institution.

He, however, identified inadequate access to clean water in Otukpo as a major challenge and appealed to the Federal and Benue State Governments, development partners, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and public-spirited individuals to support efforts to address the situation.

In his remarks, the Registrar of the University, Mr. Michael Ogiji, thanked the NUJ Chairman and his team for the visit.

He noted that FUHSO is the first university in Nigeria to introduce Biostatistics as an academic programme and added that the institution has successfully graduated its first set of students since inception.

He urged journalists to give balanced and extensive coverage to the University's achievements for the benefit of the institution and the nation.

Present at the event were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Friday Godwin Okibe; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Mrs Cecilia Ojabo; University Bursar, Chief Dr. Paul Hassan Akpa; Senior Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Chris Abah; and members of the University media team.