Ten Years After Suspension, MBBS Programme Fully Restored at Prince Abubakar Audu University

Ten years after its suspension, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full re-accreditation for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba—marking a significant milestone in Kogi State’s push to revitalise medical education.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued in Lokoja by the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, who described the approval as “a landmark achievement driven by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to revitalising healthcare and medical education in the state.”

The MBBS programme, originally accredited in 2012 at the then Kogi State University, lost its accreditation in 2015 following a resource verification exercise by the NUC which revealed a lack of key infrastructure and academic requirements.

Dr. Adams noted that “the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello swiftly intervened by approving full scholarships and facilitating the transfer of affected third-year medical students to other institutions. Today, over 90% of those students have successfully graduated.”

As part of long-term efforts to restore the programme, former Governor Bello approved the construction of a state-of-the-art clinical complex at the university. In addition, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, was tasked with launching all basic sciences and allied health programmes necessary to support a comprehensive MBBS curriculum.

Upon assuming office in 2024, Governor Ododo directed a fresh assessment of requirements for restoring the MBBS programme and immediately approved the provision of critical facilities, including a multi-purpose teaching laboratory, lecture halls, a library, consultant offices, and student hostels.

“These projects received prompt approval from His Excellency, and I personally represented him at the official handing-over of project sites to contractors,” Dr. Adams stated, adding that construction work began immediately and is now at an advanced stage.

With the infrastructural and academic upgrades completed, the university invited the NUC for a new round of resource verification. The successful outcome of the exercise led to the full re-accreditation of the MBBS programme.

“This is a major milestone, ten years after the initial withdrawal and it signals a new era of medical training in Kogi State,” the statement read.

Dr. Adams emphasized that the development forms part of a broader health education strategy. “Governor Ododo’s commitment to healthcare is not in words, but in action. These projects are not just about infrastructure, they are about the future of healthcare delivery in Kogi State,” he said.

He further highlighted other state-backed investments in medical training, including the College of Nursing in Obangede, the College of Health Sciences in Idah, and the College of Medical Sciences at CUSTECH, Osara.

Also reacting, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the re-accreditation as “another promise kept.”

“During his campaign, Governor Ododo promised to ensure the return of the MBBS programme to Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba. Today, he has fulfilled that promise. He continues to make difficult tasks look simple with his results-driven style of leadership,” Fanwo said. “This is a remarkable demonstration of an unyielding commitment to improving healthcare resources in the state.”

Dr. Adams concluded by expressing gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to complete all ongoing infrastructure projects supporting the MBBS programme.