FUHSA Beat Peer Health Universities to Maiden Convocation – Chancellor

…..graduates 50 pioneer students.

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA) has become the first among Nigeria’s newly established Federal Universities of Health Sciences to hold a maiden convocation, the university’s Chancellor, His Royal Highness Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammed Mera, Emir of Argungu, has disclosed.

Gov Bala Mohammed awards scholarship to best graduating student Saadatu Mustapha Bila

The University graduated 50 pioneer students from Human Nutrition and Dietetics, with three students bagging First Class Honours.

At the ceremony on Saturday, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State announced a scholarship for the university’s best graduating student, Saadatu Mustapha Bila, who finished with a 4.63 CGPA. The scholarship will cover her postgraduate studies up to PhD level.

In his address, the Emir, said the milestone was “particularly gratifying” because FUHSA had reached it ahead of peer institutions established around the same period

“Among the Federal Universities of Health Sciences established around the same period, this University has reached this important milestone first,” the Emir said.

“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication, commitment and sense of purpose demonstrated by the University’s Governing Council, Management, Senate, academic and non-academic staff.”

“In the health professions, knowledge without compassion is incomplete, and professional competence without integrity can never adequately serve humanity,” the Emir said. “Wherever your careers take you, remember that behind every patient is a human being, a family and a community placing their trust in you.”

The Emir expressed pride that the achievement positions FUHSA as the pace-setter in Nigeria’s experiment with specialised health sciences universities.

The university also conferred honorary Doctor of Science degrees on the Chancellor himself and on Mallam Adamu Adamu, former Minister of Education, an award the Emir received with ‘profound humility.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund) Arc. Sonny Echono, used the platform to announce sweeping reforms for federal universities nationwide.

These included the removal of recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and the migration of university staff from IPPIS to GIFMIS .

Tinubu also disclosed that 1,798 FUHSA students – 43 per cent of the student population—benefited from NELFUND in the 2025/2026 session .

He reserved a specific charge for FUHSA’s international partnerships, naming the University of Miami, Boston University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia, and urging the university to “translate the collaborations into measurable and enduring outcomes”

 In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bala Mohammed Audu, appealed for federal intervention on security, saying the university “remains porous due to lack of a perimeter fence,” and called for more lecture halls, laboratories, and hostels.

Audu disclosed that FUHSA had mounted 22 academic programmes in less than five years, with 11 of 13 matured programmes fully accredited.

He also revealed that the university had approached TETFund for support to establish a centre of excellence for gynaecological cancer, and that students had developed 34 value-added nutritional products with commercial potential.

Of the 50 pioneer graduates, three earned First Class honours, 20 obtained Second Class Upper, 25 graduated with Second Class Lower, and two received Third Class. The Chancellor charged them to carry integrity and compassion into their careers.