NUC Conducts Resource Verification Exercise At University of Offa
The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday conducted a comprehensive resource verification exercise at the University of Offa (UNIOFFA) as part of efforts to assess the institution’s readiness to expand its academic offerings, particularly in the health sciences. The exercise, a mandatory quality assurance process for universities seeking to establish new programmes or faculties, involved […]
The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday conducted a comprehensive resource verification exercise at the University of Offa (UNIOFFA) as part of efforts to assess the institution’s readiness to expand its academic offerings, particularly in the health sciences.
The exercise, a mandatory quality assurance process for universities seeking to establish new programmes or faculties, involved expert panels evaluating facilities, manpower, and overall academic preparedness.
Separate teams of senior academics were constituted for key departments under the proposed Faculty of Health Sciences, including Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, and Community Health.
The Nursing Science panel was led by Professor Adekemi Eunice Olowokere of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, supported by Mrs. Egwumba Immaculata and Abubakar Ibrahim.
For Physiotherapy, the team was headed by Professor Bashir Kaka of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), alongside Adeyemi Adeleke.
The Community Health panel was led by Professor Oluwasogo Adewole Olalubi of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, with Ogba Gabriel and Idris D. Ibrahim as members.
UNIOFFA’s Faculty of Health Sciences currently comprises Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Community Health, all undergoing assessment as part of the university’s expansion drive.
Speaking during the visit, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, described the exercise as a significant milestone in the institution’s growth and reaffirmed management’s commitment to quality and global best practices.
“University of Offa commenced academic activities in 2022, following its approval by the Federal Government in 2021 as a private university, and today, we are steadily expanding our academic frontiers,” he said.
Gbolagade noted that the university began with programmes in the Faculty of Science and Computing, including Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Microbiology, and Physics with Electronics. He added that the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences offers courses such as Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Mass Communication, and Political Science.
The Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office on September 15, 2025, outlined a five-point agenda focused on financial sustainability, digital transformation, staff and student welfare, a conducive learning environment, and research-driven collaborations.
He disclosed that the university is strengthening its internally generated revenue while advancing towards a paperless system driven by robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
“Our ICT capacity is one of our major strengths. We have partnered with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, and we ensure that every student, regardless of discipline, is well-grounded in ICT,” he said.
According to him, students are already demonstrating innovation, with some developing artificial intelligence-based applications, while aspects of the university’s digital portal were built by its students.
On student welfare, Gbolagade emphasised the institution’s focus on entrepreneurship, noting plans to register companies for students before graduation and provide startup support.
“We want our graduates to leave this university empowered, not dependent. Our entrepreneurship model is designed to make them employers of labour,” he added.
He also highlighted ongoing collaborations with local and international institutions, including partnerships with universities in Malaysia and the United States, as well as engagement with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the Kwara State KU8+ Consortium.
“We are not claiming to be perfect, but we are committed to continuous improvement. Quality is something we do not compromise,” he said.
As part of the exercise, the NUC team inspected key infrastructure across the campus, including the library, ICT centre, health centre, administrative offices, and laboratories covering Physics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology, as well as nursing demonstration facilities.
Other principal officers present included the Registrar, Mr. Salahudeen Ajibola Oyewale; Director of Academic Planning and Dean, College of Science and Computing, Dr. Abdulrasaq Bello; and the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Ade Stephen Alabi, alongside heads of departments and other senior officials.
The outcome of the verification exercise is expected to determine the approval status of the proposed programmes, as UNIOFFA continues its drive to strengthen its academic profile.