Doctor shortage: NUC recognises Jigawa medical varsity as 70th state university

The National Universities Commission has formally recognised the Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Sciences as Nigeria’s 70th state-owned university, describing the move as a major step towards tackling the country’s growing shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Speaking at the recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said the specialised institution would boost the training of medical personnel at a time Nigeria continues to lose healthcare workers to migration.

He noted that the university is the first private institution to be acquired by a state government and converted into a public university in Nigeria.

Ribadu said the commission would notify agencies including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund of the institution’s new status to enable students benefit from government intervention programmes.

He urged the Jigawa State Government to provide adequate funding for both the new medical university and Sule Lamido University, while calling on the institution’s management to ensure a smooth transition for staff and students.

According to him, the university will continue running its existing non-medical programmes until current students graduate before fully transitioning into a specialised medical institution.

He disclosed that the university plans to introduce programmes in Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Radiography and Health Information Management from the 2027 academic session, subject to NUC resource verification.

Ribadu also revealed that Nigeria now has 328 universities across the country.

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi said the institution was established to build local capacity for training healthcare professionals and reduce dependence on foreign medical schools.

He explained that the state currently sponsors about 200 medical students abroad but plans to discontinue the programme once they complete their studies.

“Our goal is to produce doctors who meet international standards,” the governor said, adding that the university would serve as a centre for medical and allied health training for Jigawa and Nigeria.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the recognition as a timely intervention that aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through expanded access to quality medical education.

She urged the university to prioritise quality teaching, research and community service to help address Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.