Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, to produce 120,000 healthcare workers

Amah-Samuel Nnachi,
South-East Regional Editor

Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, is set to play a pivotal role in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare workforce needs by producing a significant number of frontline healthcare workers.

The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to train 120,000 healthcare professionals, aiming to bolster the country’s healthcare system.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof John Emaimo stated this during its first matriculation ceremony at the Trans-Ekulu campus, in Enugu, weekend.

President Tinubu, had, while laying the foundation for the establishment of the University, charged stakeholders in the healthcare delivery value chain to expand and increase the manpower output with 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide by July 2025.

According to Prof Emaimo, the management and other stakeholders were ready to meet President Tinubu’s aspiration to establish the University, which according to him, was to increase output in healthcare manpower across the country.

He said, “President Tinubu, while establishing the university on March 14 2024 said he wanted an expansion and increase in the manpower output in the healthcare delivery system with 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months and to double the number of primary health facilities in local communities across Nigeria from 8,800 to over 17,000.

“We did not waste time to secure the approval of 18 allied healthcare degree programmes from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and took off intensive academic training immediately.

“The university had since embarked on the expansion of its infrastructure by building over 1,000 capacity auditorium. A new block of Library and ICT has since been completed and packed into; while the gigantic administrative block is fast coming to completion, same as class rooms’ block. Some new classroom blocks were already completed.

“We are set to run a university where there is zero tolerance for indolence, cultism, truancy or rascality on the part of both the staff and students. We are putting up facilities to make learning easy and create a convivial atmosphere for mentorship while instilling discipline in all members of the academic community.

“From the word go, we made it clear that we are into manpower development and that we have the mandate to train graduates who will graduate and fit seamlessly into the national healthcare team, become employers of labour and contribute significantly to national development. Our focus is on practical education that gives our students skills in their chosen fields while they also acquire additional entrepreneurial skills as well.

“What this means is that FUAHSE will graduate students with double certification and honour; a Bachelor’s Degree in their Allied Health Field and a Professional Diploma in a chosen entrepreneurial venture, coupled with self-dignity, integrity and good moral standing.”