The Jigawa State Government has taken a major step towards strengthening healthcare education with the formal takeover of Khadija University, Majia, now renamed the Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Health Sciences (JSUMAHS).
The landmark ceremony, held in Majia, was led by Governor Umar Namadi and attended by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
Governor Namadi described the development as the culmination of a two-year strategic effort aimed at expanding access to quality medical education in the state.
“Today marks another important milestone for us in our educational advancement in Jigawa State. We are completing a process we started two years ago,” the governor said.
He noted that the acquisition was driven by the need to create more opportunities for young people while addressing gaps in healthcare training.
“We deliberately chose to acquire this university to provide more opportunities for our youth,” he emphasised.
The governor disclosed that the state has already commenced infrastructure upgrades and is putting in place a competent management team to reposition the institution as a top-tier medical university in Nigeria.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that the university becomes one of the first-class universities in this country,” he noted.
Namadi also highlighted the economic benefits of the move, noting that it would reduce the number of students sent abroad for medical studies and conserve foreign exchange.
“Presently, we have over 180 students studying medicine overseas. This acquisition will save a lot of foreign exchange, not only for Jigawa State but for Nigeria in general,” he explained.
The governor commended the founder of the institution, Dr Musa Adamu Majia, for his contributions to education in the state, assuring the university’s leadership of continued government support.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mahmoud Sani, described the transformation as a bold and strategic intervention in the education and health sectors.
“This is far more than an administrative act; it is a masterstroke of strategic governance,” he said, adding that the university would help address the shortage of healthcare professionals.
He further noted that the institution is the first state-owned university dedicated to medical and allied health sciences in Northern Nigeria, positioning Jigawa as a leader in the region’s medical education landscape.
Chairman of the Transition Committee, Dr. Lawan Yunusa Danzomo, said the takeover process was conducted in a structured and transparent manner, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
With the transition completed, stakeholders say the university is set to enter a new phase focused on producing skilled healthcare professionals and strengthening the state’s health sector.