From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Governing Council of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, has approved the commencement of a Medicine (MBBS) program starting from the 2024/2025 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor. Noah Yusuf, during his fourth anniversary as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University in Ilorin on Friday.
Prof. Yusuf revealed that preparations are underway for a resource visitation by the National Universities Commission (NUC), a crucial step before the full commencement of the Medicine program.
He expressed the institution’s profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for approving Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, as the training ground for their medical students.
Highlighting the achievements of his administration over the past year, Prof. Yusuf, noted that Al-Hikmah University emerged as the first private university in Kwara State, recognized by the State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) on July 5th.
He also mentioned a significant increase in student enrollment, with postgraduate numbers rising from less than 150 in 2021 to over 2,000 in 2024. The postgraduate school has seen improvements in its structure and management, enhancing its capacity to provide quality service to students.
The Vice-Chancellor listed several infrastructure developments, including the construction of the Senator Kashim Shetima Nursing Science Complex, a Moot Court for the Faculty of Law, new buildings for the Faculty of Management Sciences, and additional hostel blocks at the Atere Campus.
Prof. Yusuf emphasized the university’s commitment to accommodating all final-year and first-year students within the institution’s campuses.
He also highlighted successful collaborations, such as the engagement with the Consortium of Kwara State Universities (KU8), resulting in Al-Hikmah University hosting the 2nd KU8 International Conference from August 6th to 9th, 2024.
Further collaborations, include ongoing discussions with the Nigeria Police to utilize the university’s Centre for Peace and Security Studies for training programs at the Nigeria Police Intelligence Training College in Share, once it is commissioned.
Currently, Al-Hikmah University offers a total of 157 programs across seven faculties, including 52 undergraduate, 13 postgraduate diplomas, 36 masters, and several M.Phil./Ph.D. programs, all fully accredited.
Prof. Yusuf announced that the university’s International School has received approval from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), to conduct senior and junior examinations.
Under a robust staff development program, the university has secured council approval for academic and non-academic staff to go on sabbatical leave after meeting stipulated requirements.
Prof. Yusuf highlighted the university’s substantial agricultural investment at the Faculty of Agriculture in Igbaja campus, where plantain and potatoes are being cultivated, with over N40 million invested in agricultural production.
To address the rising cost of energy, the university is embracing an energy mix approach, including the installation of solar power gadgets across its campuses, aiming to mitigate the increase in electricity bills from N8 million to N29 million, N25 million, and N18 million in recent times.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the university’s commitment to prioritizing student and staff welfare, security, teaching, research, and community services.
