NUC approves MBBS, four health programmes for Wellspring University

BENIN CITY – Wellspring University has entered a new phase in its academic development following the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s approval of five new undergraduate programmes, including the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, announced the milestone during a press conference at the University’s Senate Chamber on Friday, describing the approval as a landmark achievement that reinforces the institution’s commitment to producing globally competitive healthcare professionals.

Professor Ajayi explained that the approval followed a comprehensive resource verification and assessment exercise conducted by a panel of NUC experts in April 2026, which evaluated the University’s academic manpower, governance structure, physical infrastructure, laboratories, teaching facilities and institutional capacity to deliver quality programmes in line with national and international standards.

The newly approved programmes are Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), B.Sc. Human Anatomy, B.Sc. Human Physiology, Bachelor of Health Information Management (BHIM), and Bachelor of Community Health Science (B.CHS.).

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the approval places Wellspring University among the select Nigerian universities licensed by the NUC to train medical doctors, while also producing professionals in anatomy, physiology, health information management and community health sciences to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.

He disclosed that the University has made significant investments in modern laboratories, anatomy and simulation facilities, ICT-driven teaching infrastructure, research, staff development and other learning resources required to sustain quality medical education. He added that experienced professors, consultants and other medical specialists have been engaged to ensure effective delivery of the programmes.

Professor Ajayi further revealed that the University has put in place arrangements for students’ clinical training through designated teaching and specialist hospitals, while efforts are ongoing to secure all necessary professional approvals, including accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for the MBBS programme.

He assured that the institution would continue to comply with the quality assurance requirements of both the NUC and relevant professional regulatory bodies to maintain high academic standards.

Speaking on admissions, the Vice-Chancellor said the newly approved programmes would admit their pioneer students during the 2026/2027 academic session, urging qualified candidates to obtain admission details through the University’s Admissions Office or via its official website, www.wellspringuniversity.edu.ng.

He noted that admission into the medical programmes would strictly follow the admission guidelines prescribed by the NUC, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other relevant regulatory agencies.

Responding to questions from journalists, Professor Ajayi said the choice of the five programmes was informed by the University’s strategic vision to contribute meaningfully to addressing Nigeria’s growing shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals, while meeting the increasing demand for quality health education.

He expressed confidence that the programmes would not only strengthen healthcare manpower in Edo State and Nigeria but also stimulate medical research, innovation and community-based healthcare interventions capable of improving public health outcomes.

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that attaining the approval required years of careful planning, significant investment in infrastructure, recruitment of qualified personnel and strict compliance with regulatory benchmarks established by the NUC.

He described the approval as a vote of confidence in the University’s academic quality and institutional readiness.

Professor Ajayi expressed profound appreciation to the National Universities Commission for its confidence in Wellspring University and commended the institution’s Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff, students and stakeholders for their dedication and unwavering support in achieving the milestone.

He also thanked members of the media for their continued partnership in projecting the University’s achievements, expressing optimism that Wellspring University would continue to produce intellectually sound, morally upright and globally competitive graduates while making lasting contributions to healthcare, education and national development.