Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sponsoring more Borno indigenes to study medicine and allied health courses at the Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHSA), Azare, Bauchi State.
“Borno State will continue to send students to FUHSA. We require more admission slots for our indigenes in medicine, radiography, nursing, and other related courses. If there are states not utilizing their quotas, we are ready to take them—just contact us,” Zulum stated.
He emphasized that his commitment to supporting the institution stems from the urgent need to produce more medical professionals, particularly in the North East region where there is a severe shortage of healthcare personnel.
“Human resources in healthcare are not only inadequate in the North East but across Northern Nigeria. There is a need for governments in the sub-region to support FUHSA so it can produce more graduates to bridge this gap. This is why I am committed to supporting the university,” Zulum added.
As Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum, Governor Zulum pledged to galvanise further support for the University by collaborating with other North East governors to identify areas of intervention, particularly in security, to foster the institution’s growth.
The governor also advised the Vice-Chancellor to focus on strengthening existing programmes before expanding into new courses, ensuring that FUHSA continues to produce highly qualified medical professionals.
“This is a health institution, and we must not compromise the standards of medical education. The Vice-Chancellor who is also the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) understands this best. If any institution should strictly adhere to the laid-down regulations for medical and allied programmes, it should be FUHSA,” Zulum affirmed.
FUHSA names laboratory after Zulum
In his remarks, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the FUHSA Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, commended Governor Zulum for the continuous support.
He highlighted that FUHSA, a specialized regional university established by the Federal Government in 2021 began academic activities in 2022 with the aim of bridging the shortage of healthcare personnel in Nigeria.
He acknowledged Governor Zulum’s donation of N50 million to the university, noting that the funds were used to procure state-of-the-art laboratory equipment (phantom head) for the Faculty of Dentistry.
This investment, according to him, has contributed to the faculty being rated among the best in Nigeria during a recent National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise. In recognition of this support, the university has named the facility “Babagana Zulum Phantom Laboratory.”
“We are equally grateful for your intervention in constructing two blocks of six apartments each within the University Staff Quarters.
These facilities will ease the acute shortage of staff accommodation, fostering a more conducive environment for academic excellence and institutional growth,” Adejare stated.
He also expressed appreciation for Borno State Government’s scholarship programme for all Borno indigenes studying at FUHSA and announced that the NUC has granted approval for 13 additional courses at the university.
The Pro-Chancellor was accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, along with members of the Governing Council and other university management staff.
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