PAAU Vice-Chancellor Commences Familiarization Tour with College of Health Sciences

The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has commenced a university-wide familiarization tour, signaling a proactive phase of leadership engagement anchored on academic revitalization, infrastructure enhancement, staff welfare, and strategic institutional reforms.

The tour, which began on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, covered all the faculties of the University. The exercise forms a central pillar of the Vice-Chancellor’s consultative governance approach aimed at gaining first-hand insight into operational realities, evaluating challenges, and co-creating pathways for sustainable growth and academic distinction.

At the College of Health Sciences, the Vice-Chancellor and his management team were warmly received by the Provost, Professor S.P.O. Akogu, alongside members of the College leadership and staff.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Akogu lauded the Vice-Chancellor for prioritizing the College at the onset of the tour, describing the visit as a powerful affirmation of the administration’s commitment to advancing medical and health sciences education. He presented a concise institutional overview, noting that the College comprises two faculties, Basic Medical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences, with academic activities dating back to 2012 following regulatory approvals. He further explained that the Faculty of Medicine attained College status in 2015 in alignment with professional and accreditation requirements.

Prof. Akogu emphasized that the College was founded to produce highly skilled medical professionals capable of addressing critical healthcare needs within Kogi State and Nigeria. He highlighted the College’s enduring partnership with the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, which serves as the clinical training hub supporting medical instruction, healthcare delivery, and research advancement.

The Provost outlined notable strides in infrastructure expansion, staffing development, and academic programming, including the reactivation of the MBBS programme and successful accreditation of allied health courses. He also commended the resilience and outstanding performance of students previously affected by accreditation challenges.

Despite these gains, Prof. Akogu identified pressing needs requiring institutional attention, including increased staffing, upgraded ICT infrastructure, improved power stability, and acquisition of modern medical equipment to sustain accreditation benchmarks and training quality.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Usman described the visit as both strategic and deeply personal, referencing his academic and administrative roots in the health sciences at the University of Ilorin. He commended the College’s leadership, predecessors, and stakeholders for establishing a strong foundation for medical education at PAAU. 

In a special manner, the VC applauded past Vice-Chancellors beginning from Professor Hassan Isah who nursed the vision, Professor Abdulkadir and our Mama, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche for her support for the college. He assured the College members that he will continue to build on the labour and legacies of these our past Heroes.

The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the former Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello for the support he gave to the College and the students who were pharmed out.  He thanked the current Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his continued support for the College and the University in general.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence in the College’s human capital and structural capacity, assuring staff that the administration remains resolute in consolidating existing achievements while decisively addressing identified gaps. He stressed that current challenges are surmountable through shared responsibility, institutional cohesion, and purposeful collaboration.

Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, Prof. Usman underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships with government agencies and external stakeholders to unlock research funding, enhance innovation, and broaden opportunities for academic and clinical excellence.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Professor Omotoso appreciated the VC for his vision, mission and determination to make things work. He Thanked the VC for reinforcing PAAU’s trajectory toward institutional excellence and competitiveness.