Yobe State Government has approved full sponsorship for 16 lecturers of the College of Medical Sciences at Yobe State University (YSU), Damaturu, to pursue postgraduate studies in India as part of a strategic investment aimed at strengthening medical education, enhancing academic capacity and securing full accreditation for the institution’s medical programmes.
The beneficiaries will undertake master’s degree programmes, with opportunities to progress to doctoral studies, in specialised fields including Human Anatomy, Physiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Biochemistry and Medical Microbiology. The intervention is designed to address critical manpower gaps within the College of Medical Sciences while ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
According to a statement issued by the Information Officer in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani, the initiative forms part of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s broader commitment to developing highly qualified academic staff capable of improving teaching, research, innovation and healthcare delivery in Yobe State.
Vice-Chancellor of Yobe State University, Professor Muhammad Bashir Tahir, described the overseas training programme as a major boost to the institution’s long-term vision of attaining and sustaining full accreditation for its medical programmes. He noted that expanding the pool of highly trained academics would improve the quality of medical education and position the College of Medical Sciences as an emerging centre of excellence for healthcare training and research in Nigeria.
Professor Tahir also commended Governor Buni for prioritising higher education and healthcare, noting that sustained investment in academic staff development remains essential for producing competent medical professionals capable of addressing the country’s healthcare challenges. He added that the sponsorship reflects a long-term strategy focused on human capital development rather than short-term interventions.
The first batch of sponsored lecturers has already departed for India, accompanied by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, the Vice-Chancellor and the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Professor Garba Mohammed Ashiru. During the visit, officials of Yobe State University also held discussions with Integral University, Lucknow, on expanding institutional partnerships beyond medicine.
The proposed collaboration is expected to cover staff and student exchange programmes, joint research projects, curriculum development and the sharing of international best practices in fields such as agriculture, engineering and technological innovation. University officials believe the partnership will further strengthen YSU’s academic profile while exposing lecturers and students to global standards in teaching, research and professional practice.
The initiative adds to ongoing efforts by the Yobe State Government to reposition higher education through investments in staff development, international collaborations and institutional capacity building, reinforcing the state’s commitment to producing a skilled workforce that can support healthcare delivery and socioeconomic development.
