Nigerian University Launches Medical School, Welcomes 3,368

A university in northeastern Nigeria is celebrating a major milestone that will help train the next generation of healthcare workers in a region that desperately needs them.

Federal University Kashere in Gombe State just matriculated 3,368 students for the 2025/2026 academic year, including 45 pioneering medical students. These students will become the university's first doctors, studying medicine and surgery alongside anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.

The expansion represents a huge leap for the 15-year-old institution. Vice-Chancellor Umaru Pate announced that the National Universities Commission approved not just the medical program, but also degrees in dental surgery, nursing, and occupational therapy. Getting full accreditation for seven medical programs simultaneously is remarkable and speaks to the university's careful preparation.

The new students join a growing campus that spans eight faculties. Social sciences welcomed the most students with 1,004, followed by 920 in sciences and 528 in management sciences. Another 60 students enrolled in part-time courses, making education accessible to working adults.

The Ripple Effect

This medical school launch matters far beyond one campus ceremony. Northern Nigeria faces critical healthcare shortages, with rural communities often traveling hours to see a doctor. Training physicians locally means more graduates will likely practice in the region where they studied, bringing vital care closer to home.

The university secured approvals from the Federal Ministry of Health and professional regulatory agencies, ensuring graduates will meet national standards. That credibility helps the institution compete with established medical schools while serving communities often overlooked in healthcare planning.

Federal University Kashere started in 2010 with big ambitions but modest beginnings. Fifteen years later, those 45 medical students represent hope that quality healthcare education can flourish outside major cities. Their success will pave the way for hundreds more future doctors, nurses, and dentists.

The next generation of Nigerian healers just began their journey in Gombe State.