UniAbuja Secures ₦4bn to Transform Health Sciences and Expand Student Quotas

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has emerged as a major beneficiary of the 2026 Special Intervention for Health Professions (SHIP) programme, securing a landmark ₦4 billion grant to overhaul its health sciences infrastructure and equipment.

The SHIP programme is a strategic joint initiative between the Federal Ministry of Education (FMOE) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). It aims to address the nationwide shortage of medical professionals by strengthening the capacity of elite Nigerian universities to train more healthcare experts.

Driving Expansion in MBBS, Nursing, and Pharmacy

The ₦4 billion funding is specifically earmarked for the expansion of faculties in MBBS (Medicine and Surgery), Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing. The primary goal is to upgrade existing laboratories, construct modern lecture halls, and procure state-of-the-art medical equipment.

By enhancing these facilities, the University expects to receive approval for increased student enrollment quotas, allowing more aspiring medical professionals to secure admissions into these highly competitive programmes.

The grant followed a successful competitive bidding process led by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Titus Ibekwe, on behalf of the University. Following a rigorous performance review, UniAbuja was selected alongside five other institutions representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The 2026 SHIP Beneficiaries

The Ministry of Education and TETFund selected four federal and two state institutions based on their current capacity and institutional performance:

* North Central: University of Abuja

* North West: Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

* North East: Modibbo Adama University, Yola

* South South: Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

* South West: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife

* South East: Abia State University

A Milestone for Quality Training

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, hailed the selection as a “significant achievement” for the institution. He commended the leadership of the College of Health Sciences for their visionary efforts in securing the funds.

“The SHIP programme will support our efforts to expand facilities, strengthen teaching and research, and equip our students with the skills required for modern healthcare delivery,” Professor Fawehinmi stated. He further assured the Ministry and TETFund that the resources would be utilized with total transparency and efficiency to achieve the desired impact on national development.

This massive infusion of capital is expected to position the University of Abuja as a premier hub for medical education in the FCT and the North Central region, contributing directly to the Federal Government’s agenda of curbing “brain drain” by improving local training standards.