Overview and History of Bayelsa Medical University

 
Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) is a specialized public university located in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Established in August 2018 by the Bayelsa State Government, the university was created to address the growing need for qualified healthcare professionals and to contribute meaningfully to both national and global healthcare systems.

##Founding and Vision
Bayelsa Medical University was founded with the core mission of producing world-class medical professionals equipped with the knowledge, competence, and ethical foundation required to transform healthcare delivery. From its inception, the university has been dedicated to promoting excellence in medical science, education, research, and service to humanity. It envisions becoming a center of excellence that shapes the future of healthcare through innovation, training, and leadership.

##Academic Structure
BMU offers a wide array of programs through its well-structured faculties. These include:

Faculty of Clinical Sciences

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences

Faculty of Sciences

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Through these faculties, the university offers professional and academic degree programs such as Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Nursing, Optometry, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Community Health, Radiography & Radiation Science, Health Information Management, and Health Care Administration & Hospital Management.

##Pioneer Leadership: Prof. Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu
The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University was Professor Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu, a seasoned academic and professor of Pathology. His appointment was pivotal in establishing the academic and administrative foundations of the university. Prior to this role, Prof. Etebu served as the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa and as the Commissioner for Health in Bayelsa State. His leadership helped lay the groundwork for the university’s rapid development in its early years.

##Current Leadership: Prof. Dimie Ogoina
In 2019, Professor Dimie Ogoina took over as the Vice-Chancellor of BMU. A respected professor of medicine with specialization in infectious diseases and immunology, Prof. Ogoina brought with him a forward-thinking vision that emphasized research, innovation, and academic excellence. Under his stewardship, BMU has pursued a strategic goal of becoming a technology-driven institution with strong global linkages and impactful research initiatives.

##PoV
Bayelsa Medical University is a growing symbol of the Bayelsa State Government’s commitment to healthcare and education. With its focused academic programs, highly qualified faculty, and progressive leadership, BMU is poised to become a leading institution in Africa for the training of competent healthcare professionals. It continues to play a vital role in advancing medical education and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond.