The National Universities Commission has approved the establishment of MBBS Medicine and Surgery and 23 other undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for Kwara State University, Malete.

The approval which was contained in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Muhammed Mustapha-Akanbi SAN, was signed by the Director of Academic Planning, Dr N.B. Saliu on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

According to a statement issued by the Director of University Relations Director, Dr Saeedat Aliyu, the NUC has approved 24 programmes which included MBBS Medicine and Surgery, B.Eng. Food Engineering, B.Sc. Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, B.Sc. Taxation, B.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and B.Ed. Educational Management.

Other undergraduate programmes are B.A. Ed. in English Education, Christian Studies Education, Arabic Education, French Education, Islamic Studies Education, and Yoruba Education.

Approval was equally granted for the establishment of a B.Sc. Ed. in Agricultural Education, Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Computer Science Education, Mathematics Education, and Physics Education.

Approved postgraduate programmes include M.Eng. and PhD. Electrical Electronics Engineering, M.Sc. and PhD. Plant and Environmental Biology, M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, and M.Sc. Tourism and Hospitality Management.

The approval of the new programmes which is with effect from the 2022/2023 academic session followed resource verification visits by panels of experts to the University to assess the human and material resources available for their establishment, the statement said.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Muhammed Mustapha-Akanbi SAN, expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the support which has contributed to the many successes the institution has recorded.

“The Vice-Chancellor who noted that the approval to commence the new programmes would contribute to the state's drive to increase the development of human capacity added that the programmes would offer a premium opportunity to Kwarans and Nigerians to receive an excellent education in those areas.

“Akanbi also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Commissioner, Dr Afeez Abolore Alabi, for the success recorded,” the statement said.