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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Fifty students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, have graduated as the institution’s pioneer set, with the Visitor, President Bola Tinubu, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to funding its infrastructure, research and academic development.
Tinubu, who spoke at the university’s maiden convocation ceremony, said the government would sustain its support for the institution to enable it to become a centre of excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation.
The President, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, disclosed that the Federal Government had provided an initial intervention of N8 billion through TETFund to support the university’s take-off.
He added that provisions had also been made in the 2026 national budget for road infrastructure, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles, alongside regular and special interventions through TETFund.
“The graduation of the 50 students, drawn from the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, marks a significant milestone for the young institution, which was established to address gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the experience of the pandemic underscored the need for a stronger healthcare system supported by well-trained professionals, robust research capacity and institutions capable of developing innovative responses to emerging health challenges.
He said the government’s investment in tertiary education was not limited to physical infrastructure but also extended to research and innovation, which he described as essential to sustainable national development.
Tinubu, however, disclosed that the Federal Government had provided N10 billion for the National Research Fund in 2026, urging universities, particularly specialised institutions such as FUHSA, to take advantage of available funding opportunities to pursue research addressing Nigeria’s pressing health challenges.
He expressed confidence that sustained investment in the university would help produce competent health professionals and researchers capable of contributing to improved healthcare delivery across the country.
The President also highlighted measures aimed at improving the administration and operational efficiency of federal universities.
He disclosed that the government had removed federal universities from the requirement to obtain recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a move intended to enable institutions to respond more effectively to their staffing needs.
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Tinubu further disclosed that the government was taking steps to migrate tertiary institution staff from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
“This initiative was designed to improve payroll efficiency, transparency and accountability, ensure timely salary payments and accommodate the operational peculiarities of tertiary institutions,” he said.
On staff welfare, the President said agreements had been signed with academic and non-teaching staff unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA), effective January 1, 2026.
The President also disclosed that 1,798 FUHSA students had secured support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session, representing 43 per cent of the university’s student population.
He said the intervention was part of efforts to ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent qualified Nigerians from accessing higher education.
Tinubu further commended FUHSA for establishing collaborations with international institutions, including the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, as well as partnerships with federal and state government institutions in Nigeria.
He urged the university to translate the partnerships into measurable outcomes that would strengthen teaching, research, innovation and healthcare delivery.
Congratulating the pioneer graduands, the President charged them to deploy their knowledge and skills towards improving the health and well-being of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable populations.
He urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, compassion and service, noting that their status as the institution’s first graduating class placed a special responsibility on them.
“Your success will be measured not only by your personal achievements, but also by the positive difference you make in the lives of others,” he said.
Tinubu commended the university’s Governing Council, management, Senate, staff and students for their contributions to the institution’s development.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting FUHSA as it builds its capacity in health sciences education, research and innovation, expressing hope that the university would contribute meaningfully to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
