President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government committed ₦18bn to health sciences education and university research, including an initial ₦8bn intervention for the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State.
The government also provided ₦10bn for the National Research Fund in 2026 to promote innovation and research across Nigerian universities.
Tinubu, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, spoke at the university’s maiden convocation ceremony, where 50 pioneer students graduated from the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
He said the investment was part of efforts to address gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the need for skilled health professionals and stronger research capacity.
The President said FUHSA would continue to receive support through TETFund’s regular and special interventions, as well as allocations in the 2026 national budget for roads, lecture halls, laboratories and utility vehicles.
He urged specialised universities to take advantage of available research funding to develop solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.
“Our investment in tertiary education goes beyond infrastructure. We are equally committed to strengthening research and innovation,” he said.
Tinubu also disclosed that 1,798 students of the university had secured loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for the 2025/2026 academic session. The beneficiaries represent 43 per cent of the institution’s student population.
He said the scheme was intended to reduce financial barriers to higher education and ensure that qualified Nigerians were not denied university education because of their economic circumstances.
On reforms in the tertiary education sector, the President said the Federal Government had reached agreements with academic and non-teaching staff unions on the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance, effective January 1, 2026.
He also announced that federal universities had been exempted from the requirement to obtain recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a move he said would strengthen institutional autonomy and help universities meet staffing needs.
According to him, the government is also working to migrate tertiary institution staff from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System to improve payroll efficiency and accountability.
Tinubu commended FUHSA for partnerships with the University of Miami, Boston University and Universiti Sains Malaysia, urging the institution to translate the collaborations into tangible improvements in teaching, research and healthcare delivery.
Congratulating the pioneer graduands, he urged them to apply their knowledge with professionalism, integrity and compassion, particularly in serving vulnerable populations.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing FUHSA into a centre of excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation.
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