The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State, Prof. Dominic Obielosi, has met with the management of St. Charles Borromeo Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing Sciences to strengthen collaboration and promote the institution’s growth.
The meeting, held at the teaching hospital in Onitsha, focused on improving cooperation among the institutions, sustaining accreditation standards, expanding infrastructure and enhancing the quality of medical education and clinical training.
The meeting brought together principal officers of the university, the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing Sciences and the teaching hospital to discuss strategies for achieving their shared academic and healthcare objectives.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Obielosi, who assumed office on September 1, 2026, described the engagement as fruitful, noting that closer cooperation among the institutions was essential to the university’s continued development.
He explained that the university was preparing for the advancement of its students to the 300 level and needed to strengthen its academic and administrative structures to meet future accreditation requirements.
According to him, maintaining accreditation is a continuous process that requires sustained commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.
“Our priority is to actualise the vision and mission of His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, who founded this university. We will ensure that accreditation is not only maintained but that we surpass the required standards,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the university was determined to produce graduates who would be academically sound, productive and capable of driving positive change in society.
Obielosi also commended his predecessor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Obi Oguejiofor, for laying what he described as a solid foundation for the institution’s growth during his two-year tenure.
He disclosed that the university was exploring international partnerships with institutions in the United States, China and other countries to provide students with opportunities for international academic exposure.
According to him, the proposed collaborations could enable students to begin their studies at Shanahan University and complete their degree programmes at partner institutions abroad, thereby broadening their academic experience.
On admissions, Obielosi revealed that more than 1,000 candidates had applied to the university in the ongoing admission exercise, with over 700 already offered admission.
He said the growing interest in the institution reflected its increasing acceptance among prospective students, adding that some candidates were switching from other universities to Shanahan University.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor further pledged to prioritise students’ moral formation alongside academic development.
He said he would draw on his 17 years of experience as Rector of Holy Family Youth Village, Amansea, to promote discipline, character development and sound moral values among students.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Borromeo Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo, described the meeting as an important opportunity to review the institutions’ progress and strengthen their working relationship.
Okonkwo dismissed any suggestion of a misunderstanding between the institutions, describing the engagement as a constructive discussion aimed at advancing their common goals.
He assured the university community that the hospital would continue to expand its facilities and improve its services to accommodate medical students and support their clinical training.
According to him, the hospital has constructed more than seven major structures within seven years as part of efforts to improve its infrastructure and healthcare delivery capacity.
“We will keep improving and progressing. Becoming a university teaching hospital is not an easy task, so we are not going to rest on our oars,” he said.
The hospital chief executive disclosed that the facility had eight independent operating theatres, which he described as a significant addition to its capacity to support clinical practice and medical education.
He also announced plans to construct a new four-storey building dedicated to the College of Medicine.
Okonkwo expressed optimism about the university’s future, noting that its establishment had attracted considerable interest within and outside Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the former Vice-Chancellor, Oguejiofor, in establishing a strong foundation for the institution.
In his remarks, the university’s Registrar, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Emenu, said the meeting was organised to formally introduce the new Vice-Chancellor to the management of the College of Medicine and promote stronger cooperation among the institutions.
He stressed that collaboration was essential to the university’s ambition of producing graduates who would contribute meaningfully to society.
Similarly, the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe, said the meeting would foster mutual understanding and establish a harmonious working relationship between the university and the teaching hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Dr. Ben Ezemenahi, and the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Osita Izunwa, also expressed confidence that the engagement would strengthen institutional cooperation and improve relationships among staff members.
The meeting was attended by principal officers of the university, including the Registrar, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Emenu, and the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe.
Representatives of the College of Nursing Sciences included its Administrator, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Nwanze, and Provost, Lady Theresa Odinukwe.
The teaching hospital’s management team also included its Director of Administration, Lady Uche Okeke, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Okaro.
Shanahan University and St. Charles Borromeo Shanahan University Teaching Hospital are owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha under the proprietorship of the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke.
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