Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has assured that the ‘Building Your Future’ adminstration will continue to support the development and growth of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Funtua (FUMHSF).
The Governor gave the assurance during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the University, noting that the occasion represents the beginning of a new chapter in the educational, scientific, medical, and socio-economic history of Katsina State, particularly the southern part of the state.
The Governor recalled that his administration’s cardinal objective was to ensure equitable distribution of educational opportunities. He noted that tertiary institutions were concentrated in the northern and central parts of the state.
“When we assume office, one of our cardinal objective was to ensure equitable distribution of educational opportunity across all parts of the state. It was observed that several tertiary institutions were concentrated in the northern and the central part of Katsina State,” he said.
Katsina State supported the university’s relocation to the southern axis and provided strategic support for its establishment.
“Katsina State did not only support the relocation of this university, we provided this school to serve as a take-off school for this university. We provided suitable land for expansion into a permanent site for this university, and facilitated the allocation of land for the future teaching hospital, created the enabling environment for its take-off,” the Governor stated.
The Governor commended the 271 pioneer students. He urged them to uphold high standards of discipline and integrity.
“You are indeed fortunate to be the pioneer student of this great institution. Your names shall forever be written in the history of this university, so don’t take this for granted,” Governor Radda said.
He emphasized that excellence in medical education is not optional.
“The program offered by this university are directly connected to human life, healthcare delivery, therefore excellence is not optional. It is compulsory. Nigeria and indeed Africa require competent doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, environmental health experts and nutritionists, medical scientists, and other healthcare professionals who possess not only academic knowledge but also compassion, professionalism, and integrity,” the Governor stressed.
Governor Radda assured that Katsina State will continue supporting the university’s growth and development.
“I wish to assure the Governing Council, the management and the staff and students that Katsina State will continue to partner with the Federal Government in supporting the growth and development of this university. Our commitment remains unwavering. We shall continue to provide the enabling environment for the rapid development of infrastructure,” he said.
The Governor noted that education remains one of the strongest pillars of our administration because we firmly believe that the prosperity of every society depends largely on the quality of education provided to its citizens.
“I therefore call upon all the citizens of the state to continue supporting the government program and policies aimed at improving the welfare of our people. Development is collective responsibility, government alone cannot achieve sustainable progress without cooperation, prayer, and active participation of the people,” the Governor said.
In his welcome address, Prof. Umar Abdulaziz, the University Vice Chancellor, appealed for stakeholders support to deliver critical projects such as student hostels, a library complex, an ICT hub and a skills centre.
Prof. Abdulaziz noted that the university formally admitted its first set of 271 students for the 2025/2026 academic session. FUMHSF, established in 2023 as the North-West’s specialist medical and health school.
According to him, the university’s vision is to lead in healthcare education, research, innovation and community service. Its mission, he added, is to produce compassionate experts who will deliver quality care, drive research and improve health outcomes across the state, region and nation.
“The pioneer cohort was admitted into 10 programmes: Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Sciences, Physiotherapy, Biotechnology, Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, Medical Physics, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Human Nutrition and Dietetics,” the VC explained.
Prof. Abdulaziz charged the new students to remain focused, diligent and humane. “You must be goal-setters, problem solvers and ambassadors of this university at all times,” he said.
He later declared all 271 students on the matriculation list duly admitted, with full rights and responsibilities of FUMHSF students.
The ceremony was graced by top government functionaries among which are Chief of Staff, Hon Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, District Head of Funtua Sambo Idris Sambo, Some members of the state executive Council and education stakeholders among others.