The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved six new full-time academic programmes for the University of Benin (UNIBEN) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The approval followed a successful resource assessment of the proposed courses conducted by the commission.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, said two of the newly approved undergraduate programmes were designed to address the shortage of specialists in key areas of the healthcare sector.
According to the statement, the NUC granted approval for six programmes after the evaluation exercise.
Among the newly approved undergraduate courses are Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
“These programmes demonstrate the university’s commitment to implementing the policy initiative of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, aimed at training skilled manpower in these fields to address the shortage of experts in the healthcare sector,” the statement read.
Other approved undergraduate programmes include B.Sc International Relations, B.Sc Intelligence and Security Studies, B.Ed Primary Education, and B.N.Sc Nursing Science (in collaboration with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital).
The statement also noted that the university’s Centre of Excellence in Space Science Technology and Application will now offer Master’s and PhD degrees in Remote Sensing and Aeronautical Engineering.
Reacting to the approval, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), expressed appreciation to the NUC and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards.
“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 said.
Omoregie added that the university remained committed to expanding its academic offerings and strengthening its role in producing skilled professionals through diverse and innovative programmes.
