The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN, on Thursday, 30th July 2026, formally recognised the Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences, Majia, as Nigeria’s 70th state-owned university.
The recognition followed the acquisition of a former private university by the Jigawa State Government and its conversion into a public institution, following the presentation of the University’s Master Plan, Law and Academic Brief to the Commission.
Speaking at the recognition ceremony, Professor Ribadu described the development as a significant milestone in expanding access to medical education and addressing the country’s shortage of healthcare professionals.
He noted that Nigeria’s doctor-to-population ratio remains far below the benchmark recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a situation further exacerbated by the continued migration of healthcare professionals abroad.
“Nigeria faces a serious shortage of healthcare professionals. Our doctor-to-population ratio remains far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark. The situation is being compounded by the continued migration of medical personnel to other countries,” he said.
The Executive Secretary stated that establishing more specialised medical institutions was imperative to produce the healthcare workforce required to meet the nation’s growing needs.
He commended the Jigawa State Government for working closely with the Commission throughout the acquisition process to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Professor Ribadu further disclosed that the Commission would formally notify relevant agencies, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), of the institution’s new status to enable its students benefit from various government intervention and support programmes.
He urged the Jigawa State Government to provide sustainable funding for both the new university and Sule Lamido University to ensure the effective discharge of their mandates.
The Executive Secretary also advised the university management to ensure uninterrupted academic activities and safeguard the interests of existing students and staff throughout the transition process.
According to him, the institution will retain its existing non-medical programmes until the current students complete their studies, after which the programmes will be phased out.
He explained that the university will thereafter focus exclusively on medical and allied health programmes in line with its specialised mandate.
Professor Ribadu disclosed that, subject to NUC resource verification and approval, the university plans to commence programmes in Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Radiography, and Health Information Management from the 2027 academic session.
He also announced that Nigeria now has 328 universities following the recent issuance of provisional licences to additional institutions across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, said the State Government acquired the former private university to strengthen healthcare delivery, develop skilled manpower and build local capacity.
He explained that although the state currently sponsors over 200 medical students abroad, it decided to establish a specialised institution to train healthcare professionals within Nigeria.
“The students currently studying abroad will have to graduate first. After that, instead of sending students overseas, we will train them in our own university,” the Governor said.
Governor Namadi stated that the university would serve as a centre for training medical and allied health professionals to support healthcare delivery in Jigawa State and across Nigeria.
He pledged sustained government support for the institution and Sule Lamido University, assuring the Commission that the State Government would provide the necessary resources to develop the university into a centre of excellence.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, described the recognition as a major step towards addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
She said the establishment of the university aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, strengthening healthcare services and developing skilled manpower.
Professor Ahmad urged the university management to prioritise quality teaching, research and community service while ensuring that its academic programmes respond effectively to Nigeria’s healthcare needs. The Governor was accompanied by the State Commissioners for Education and Health, other senior government officials, the Vice-Chancellor and principal officers of the university, as well as other stakeholders.