Overview and History of David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu

 
In an age when Nigeria's healthcare system faces fierce pressure—from increasing population, disease burden, and the need for high-quality professionals—the David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu (DUFUHS) has emerged as a key institution designed to respond directly to these challenges. Situated in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, this specialised university is more than just another higher education establishment—it is a concerted effort to develop health-sciences manpower, foster research in medical sciences, and provide a modern educational environment anchored in ethics, professionalism and community service. For many prospective students, DUFUHS represents a unique opportunity: to study medicine, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, biomedical sciences and related fields in an institution explicitly built for that purpose. Unlike traditional universities where health programmes may compete with other disciplines for attention and resources, DUFUHS’s whole orientation is towards health sciences. This means students can expect curriculum, infrastructure, labs and teaching hospital linkages that align with the complexity of modern healthcare training. Furthermore, its geographic placement in the South-East of Nigeria offers both local relevance (serving regional health needs) and national promise (helping reduce dependence on medical tourism and training professionals who can serve across Nigeria and beyond). The growing body of students, rapid development of facilities (including a cancer centre) and federal recognition all speak to the institution’s momentum.

In this article, we'll walk through DUFUHS in a humanised, informative and educational tone: looking at its website, motto, founder, history, leadership, accreditation, academic structure and facilities, campus life, and the noteworthy fact that as a newer institution its alumni list is still emerging but full of promise. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, a researcher, or simply interested in Nigeria’s health-sciences education landscape, the story of DUFUHS is both compelling and relevant.

##Official Website
The official website of DUFUHS is https://dufuhs.edu.ng/This portal is the gateway for admissions, programme information, online application processes, news updates, student services and more. For applicants it offers the latest on admission requirements, fee structure, campus developments and academic offerings. It also gives a sense of the institution’s brand: emphasis on health, professionalism and modernity.

##Motto
While DUFUHS does not appear to publicise a traditional short motto in exactly the “X for Y” format, its official vision and mission statements communicate a clear guiding statement: the institution exists to develop “quality manpower for healthcare and other service delivery” in a “most conducive environment with the highest form of professionalism, ethics and excellence.” 

This can be interpreted as a working motto along the lines of “Excellence in Health Sciences for Service and Transformation”—emphasising learning, health service and transformation of society.

##Founder
The founder of DUFUHS is the Federal Government of Nigeria, following its takeover of the institution earlier established by the Ebonyi State Government. The original institution (King David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu) was taken over by the federal government and re-named. 

The institution is therefore a federal specialised university of health sciences, part of a broader national effort to enhance health-sciences education across Nigeria.

##History
The history of DUFUHS is relatively recent yet significant in its ambition and trajectory. The institution began as the King David Nweze Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu—a state university established by the Ebonyi State Government in 2021. 

On 7 July 2021, the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted recognition to the university as the 197th university in Nigeria. 

In September 2022, the federal government formally took over the institution, renaming it the David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, recognising it as the 50th federal university and the 8th specialised university of medical sciences in Nigeria. 

This transition marked a new phase: federal backing, potentially greater funding, and national recognition, which implies access to broader resources and regulatory support.

From its infancy—starting with just a handful of students in its earliest session—the university has grown steadily. For instance, by the 2024/2025 session, the matriculated cohort was 990 students and the total student population had reached over 2,496. 

Infrastructure has also been developing rapidly: projects such as a state-of-the-art cancer centre (inaugurated by the President of Nigeria in March 2025) signal serious investment in facilities. 

What this history shows is a university that is young, ambitious, and rapidly evolving. For students it means they are joining during an exciting growth phase—both opportunities (be part of building culture, research, infrastructure) and considerations (some programmes/facilities may still be under development) apply.

##Chancellor
While specifics about the ceremonial Chancellor of DUFUHS were less clearly reported, the Vice-Chancellor (chief academic/administrative officer) is Prof. Jesse Uneke, whose profile is richly documented. 

Brief Biography:

Prof. Jesse Uneke is a Professor of Medical Parasitology & Health Policy/Health Systems, with a PhD from University of Jos, Nigeria.

Before his appointment at DUFUHS, he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. 

His research expertise spans infectious diseases, health policy, knowledge translation, health systems research and evidence-informed policymaking. He has over 130 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 33 (as of Feb 2025) and more than 25,000 citations. 

Hailing from Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State, he is happily married with children. 

Prof. Uneke brings to DUFUHS a blend of strong academic credentials, research leadership and policy orientation—qualities that align well with the institution’s mission to produce high-quality health-sciences manpower.

##Accreditation and Recognition
As a specialist health-sciences university, DUFUHS has achieved important milestones in accreditation and recognition:

The NUC has formally recognised the university and issued a take-over letter dated 5 October 2022 confirming its status as the 50th federal university in Nigeria and the 8th specialised medical sciences university. 

The university is listed in the JAMB degree-listing documentation as “DANUMS – David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State.” 

The institution has applied and been approved to commence multiple health-sciences programmes—including Medicine & Surgery, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, etc. 

For example, in January 2023 reports noted that the teaching hospital and university had begun advanced projects such as a dialyser production facility, which underscores the institutional drive toward professional relevance and accreditation readiness. 

While as a newer institution the cycle of full accreditation for every department may still be ongoing—students should always check regulatory status for specific programmes—the above shows that DUFUHS is already on the path of institutional and regulatory legitimacy.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
DUFUHS is structured to deliver health-sciences education with modern facilities and a broad array of departments. Some of the key academic structure and facilities include:

Health-Sciences Focused Faculties/Departments: The university offers programmes in 

Medicine & Surgery (MBBS)

Nursing Science, Pharmacy

Medical Laboratory Science

Physiotherapy

Public Health

Optometry

Radiography & Radiation Science

Human Nutrition & Dietetics

Biomedical Engineering

Computer Science

Industrial Physics

Industrial Chemistry

Microbiology/Parasitology 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at DUFUHS offers a rich blend of professional training in health sciences, community engagement, and pioneering spirit. Key elements include:

Student population growth: From initial 26 students (in 2021) to 2,496 by 2024/2025 academic session, the institution is growing rapidly. 

Professional discipline and culture: The university emphasises ethical conduct, professionalism and student discipline—for example, multiple students have been suspended/expelled for misconduct, showing firm enforcement of standards. 

Clinical-community integration: Through its teaching hospital, cancer centre and advanced labs, students are exposed early to applied health-sciences work, not just classroom lectures.

Accommodation and student services: Though still developing, accommodation blocks, hostels, ICT centre, modern labs, and student welfare services are being built and functional. 

Pioneer spirit: Being part of a newer university means students have unique opportunities to shape clubs, societies, departments, research direction and even institutional culture.

Local environment and relevance: Located in Uburu, Ebonyi State, campus life also connects with community health needs, regional engagement, and the potential for students to impact real health outcomes in their locale and beyond.