Tsafe erupts in celebration as NUC clears 18 programmes for new Federal Health University

By Johnson Arua

Residents of Tsafe in Zamfara State burst into celebration as officials of the National Universities Commission (NUC) arrived in the town to conduct a resource verification exercise for the newly established Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology (FUHST), paving the way for the commencement of 18 academic programmes.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai, who led the NUC team on an inspection of the institution's take-off site, said the specialised university was established to bridge the country's healthcare manpower gap while also producing professionals in critical medical technology and allied health sciences.

Prof. Yakasai explained that beyond training medical doctors, the university would focus on technical aspects of healthcare, including laboratory technology, operating theatre equipment and other emerging areas of medical science.

He commended the Zamfara State Government for releasing the former State College of Health Technology and a secondary school to serve as the university's temporary campus, while also acknowledging the support of Governor Dauda Lawal, traditional institutions and other stakeholders toward the successful take-off of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the Sarkin Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammadu Bawa, for the warm reception and unwavering support given to the university management.

During a courtesy visit, the traditional ruler expressed delight over the establishment of the institution, describing it as a major milestone that would expand educational opportunities and create employment for the people of the area.

The NUC verification exercise covered 18 academic programmes, all of which received approval. They include Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Dentistry, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Medical Laboratory Science, Environmental Health Sciences, Health Information Management, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, Medicinal Chemistry and Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Prof. Yakasai noted that the university had already established a School of Preliminary Studies and recruited professors and other academic and support staff ahead of its official commencement of academic activities.

He was joined during the exercise by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bashir Kaka; Acting Registrar, Ka'ilu Umar Sa'id; Bursar, Sanusi Usman Nakazalle; and University Librarian, Dr. Aminu Shehu Liman.

The Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, is one of six specialised universities established by the Federal Government in 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to strengthen medical education and address the nation's growing demand for healthcare professionals across the six geopolitical zones.