FUHSO: Pioneering Excellence In Healthcare Education
The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) is steadily emerging as a leading institution dedicated to health sciences education in Nigeria. Established in 2011 under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the university faced significant challenges, including a suspension in 2015. However, it was reinstated in 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Today, FUHSO stands as a symbol of perseverance, academic excellence, and innovation.
A pivotal moment in FUHSO’s history came with the appointment of its pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Innocent Ujah. A renowned professor of obstetrics and gynecology and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), he brought unparalleled expertise and commitment to the institution. His leadership was instrumental in shaping FUHSO’s academic framework, developing infrastructure, and steering the accreditation process.
Under his guidance, the university made remarkable progress. The College of Medicine, Faculty of Science, and Basic Medical Sciences were structured to align with global standards, ensuring students received quality education. On the infrastructural front, Prof. Ujah played a key role in facilitating the acquisition of the General Hospital, Otukpo, which now serves as FUHSO’s Teaching Hospital, providing hands-on clinical training for students. Additionally, his administration secured TETFund grants for 27 Institutional-Based Research (IBR) projects, positioning FUHSO as a hub for medical research.
These achievements laid the groundwork for the university’s first-ever accreditation exercise, a crucial step in solidifying its academic reputation.
Following Prof. Ujah’s tenure, Prof. Stephen Obekpa Abah assumed the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, before stepping in as Acting Vice-Chancellor at a critical point in FUHSO’s growth. His leadership has been characterized by strategic planning, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to meeting national and international academic standards.
On March 3, 2025, FUHSO reached a historic milestone when the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation team visited for the institution’s first accreditation exercise. Prof. Abah described the occasion as a testament to the university’s dedication and progress, urging the team to assess FUHSO not by its age but by its immense potential.
“Every great institution started from humble beginnings, and today, we stand boldly at the threshold of greatness,” he remarked.
During the visit, the NUC team inspected several key facilities, including the College of Medicine Complex with its advanced laboratories and lecture halls, the partially completed Administrative Building, various departmental structures fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and student hostels designed to enhance the learning experience. This landmark visit underscored FUHSO’s readiness to compete with established institutions in health sciences education.
FUHSO is rapidly gaining recognition as a center for medical research, forging collaborations with Emory University, Temple University, and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). The university is also in discussions with the New Vision Institute of Technology (NVIT), Otukpo, to provide training on digital applications in medical research.
In addition, FUHSO has received a state-of-the-art Kidney Centre, a generous donation from Chief Godwin Odumu Obla (SAN). Equipped with six dialysis machines, this facility is one of the most advanced kidney care centers in North-Central Nigeria, further strengthening the university’s medical research and healthcare capabilities.
As FUHSO transitions to its permanent site in Akwete-Akpa, covering 600 hectares, several major projects are underway. The construction of the Senate and Administrative Building, completion of the College of Medicine Auditorium, development of hostels and staff quarters, perimeter fencing, and improved road networks are all in progress. Additionally, the establishment of a Multi-User Laboratory and Research Centre at the Teaching Hospital will further enhance FUHSO’s research capacity.
With visionary leadership, a clear mission, and strong support from both the government and private sector, FUHSO is steadily positioning itself as Nigeria’s foremost health sciences university. The successful completion of its first accreditation exercise marks not just an achievement but a stepping stone toward greater heights.
As FUHSO continues to evolve, its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, medical research, and healthcare innovation ensures that it will produce the next generation of world-class medical professionals, shaping the future of health sciences education in Nigeria.
