The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval to the Federal University Kashere (FUK), Gombe State, to commence four new full-time academic programmes beginning from the 2025/2026 academic session. The development marks a major milestone in the university’s expansion drive and its commitment to advancing quality tertiary education in Nigeria.
According to an official communication from the NUC, the newly approved programmes are MBBS (Medicine and Surgery), B.Sc. Human Anatomy, B.Sc. Human Physiology, and B.Sc. Pharmacology. These programmes are expected to strengthen the university’s capacity in medical and biomedical sciences, positioning FUK as a key contributor to Nigeria’s healthcare education and manpower development.
The approval followed a successful resource verification exercise conducted by a panel of experts from the NUC, who visited the institution to assess the adequacy of human, infrastructural, and laboratory facilities available for the take-off of the programmes. The panel’s positive report formed the basis of the Commission’s approval.
In a letter dated October 17, 2025, and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, the NUC confirmed the Commission’s satisfaction with the resources on the ground and endorsed the commencement of the four new degree programmes. The letter was signed by Abubakar M. Girei, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC.
The Commission, however, clarified that the approval covers only the full-time mode of delivery, warning that any future plan to introduce part-time variants of the programmes must first be submitted to the NUC for review and formal approval. This stipulation, the letter added, is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure that academic standards and quality assurance benchmarks are strictly adhered to.
Furthermore, the NUC urged the university to maintain adequate staffing, modern facilities, and effective resource management in order to sustain the credibility and growth of the approved programmes. The Commission reiterated that the approval applies strictly to the listed courses and their respective nomenclature as contained in the official correspondence.
The inclusion of MBBS, Medicine and Surgery in FUK’s academic portfolio represents a landmark achievement for the institution, as it paves the way for the training of medical professionals within Gombe State and the North-East region. The programme’s introduction is expected to enhance healthcare delivery, promote research in medical sciences, and provide more opportunities for aspiring doctors.
Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Umaru A. Pate, described the approval as “a welcome validation of the university’s vision to broaden its academic base and serve as a centre of excellence in health and allied sciences.” He commended the NUC for its support and pledged that the university would continue to uphold the highest academic and ethical standards.
Prof. Pate also revealed that the university had already invested significantly in infrastructure and faculty development ahead of the NUC’s verification visit, including the construction of laboratories, lecture theatres, and administrative blocks to support the smooth take-off of the new programmes.
He added that FUK’s entry into medical education aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to healthcare training institutions and addressing the shortage of qualified medical professionals in Nigeria. “This approval is not just a win for Kashere but a boost for the entire region,” he said.
With the latest addition, the Federal University Kashere continues to grow its academic profile since its establishment in 2011 as part of the Federal Government’s effort to expand access to higher education. The university now joins the list of federal institutions in the North-East with accredited medical degree programmes.
The approval reaffirms the NUC’s role as a regulatory body committed to maintaining academic excellence in Nigerian universities while ensuring that new programmes meet national and global standards.
