The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Jesse Uneke, made the declaration during the university’s fifth matriculation ceremony, where he charged the new entrants to embrace academic excellence, ethical conduct and professional discipline expected of future health professionals.
Uneke stressed that the university’s disciplinary framework is designed to safeguard the integrity of medical and health sciences education, noting that DUFUHS maintains strict standards in both academic and behavioural conduct in order to produce competent and ethically responsible health practitioners.
According to him, between the last matriculation ceremony and the current academic year, the university senate approved disciplinary sanctions against 29 students for various offences, including examination malpractice, illicit drug use, cyberbullying, theft and assault.
He explained that three students were expelled for examination misconduct and stealing, while ten others were suspended for one year for offences including smoking illicit drugs, cyberbullying and obscene publications.
Fourteen students received suspensions ranging from one month to one semester for bullying, assault and theft.
In addition, one student was withdrawn due to poor academic performance, while another received a formal warning for misconduct.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the university’s firm disciplinary stance is necessary to protect the credibility of the institution and the quality of healthcare professionals it produces.
“DUFUHS does not compromise on standards. Just as we do not spare any student who violates the rules and regulations of the university, we also hold our lecturers accountable to the highest professional and ethical standards,” Uneke said.
He disclosed that the institution operates an intensive two-week orientation programme for both new and returning students, focusing on academic integrity, ethical conduct, professional responsibility and compliance with university regulations.
In his words, the orientation programme forms part of the university’s broader strategy to inculcate values required in the health professions, where discipline, empathy and ethical behaviour are fundamental to patient care and public health practice.
The Vice-Chancellor reminded students that pursuing careers in medicine and allied health sciences requires unwavering commitment to ethical standards and rigorous academic training.
“You are being trained to become professionals who will handle human lives. Therefore, discipline, integrity and focus must define your academic journey,” he told the students.
He further urged them not to squander the sacrifices made by their parents and guardians to secure quality education for them, noting that many families invest significant financial resources to support their children’s studies.
The newly admitted students were distributed across eight faculties and fifteen departments within the university.
According to the admission statistics, 361 males and 683 females were admitted, reflecting increasing female participation in health sciences education.
The Department of Nursing Science admitted 140 students, comprising 19 males and 121 females, while the Department of Medicine and Surgery admitted 166 students, including 59 males and 107 females.
Uneke highlighted the rapid growth of the institution since it received official recognition from the National Universities Commission in July 2021.
He noted that the university commenced full academic activities in January 2022 with only 26 pioneer students, but has since expanded significantly, recording a current student population of 3,759.
The Vice-Chancellor attributed the growth to strong institutional governance, improved federal government support and sustained investments in higher education infrastructure through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
He also commended ongoing reforms by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said have contributed to stability within Nigeria’s university system, alongside agreements between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities aimed at maintaining uninterrupted academic activities.
Reiterating the university’s broader vision, Uneke stated that DUFUHS remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s health education system and contributing to the reversal of medical and educational tourism by producing highly skilled healthcare professionals capable of meeting both national and global healthcare demands.
He assured parents and stakeholders that the institution would continue to uphold high standards in medical education, research and professional training.
“Our mission is to develop world-class health professionals who will transform Nigeria’s healthcare system and compete favourably on the global stage,” he said.
