UNIBEN to Launch Six Fresh Programmes Following NUC Approval

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given its approval for the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to introduce six new full-time academic programmes. These new courses, spanning both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, are set to commence from the 2026/2027 academic session.

This development follows a successful resource assessment conducted by the commission on the proposed programmes. According to a statement released on Sunday by Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, the Public Relations Officer for UNIBEN, two of the newly sanctioned undergraduate courses are specifically designed to address critical shortages of specialists within Nigeria's healthcare sector.

The official statement highlighted, “Following the successful resource assessment of proposed courses at the University of Benin, the National Universities Commission has approved for the institution six new full-time programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.”

Among the innovative undergraduate offerings are a Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy and a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. These particular programmes are a testament to UNIBEN's dedication to supporting the policy initiative of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, which emphasizes the urgent need for skilled professionals in these underrepresented medical fields across the country.

Additional undergraduate programmes receiving NUC's nod include B.Sc International Relations, B.Sc Intelligence and Security Studies, B.Ed Primary Education, and B.N.Sc Nursing Science, which will be offered in collaboration with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

Furthermore, the university's Centre of Excellence in Space Science Technology and Application will expand its academic scope by offering Master’s and PhD degrees in Remote Sensing and Aeronautical Engineering.

Reacting to the approval, UNIBEN's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), expressed gratitude to the NUC. He reiterated the institution's unwavering commitment to upholding exceptional academic standards. Prof. Omoregie stated, “We appreciate the NUC for the approval of the courses, and the institution will sustain its leading position as a first-rate manpower training and development hub.” He further affirmed that the university remains dedicated to broadening its academic portfolio and strengthening its role in producing highly skilled professionals through diverse and cutting-edge programmes.