The College of Medical Sciences, Bingham University, has marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration of two decades of vision, growth and outstanding contribution to medical education and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The landmark event held at the University campus brought together members of the Governing Council, Board of Trustees, management, staff, students, alumni, parents, regulators, and government representatives to reflect on the College's journey and chart a course for the future.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, represented by Arc. Halima Auta at the anniversary lecture stated that he was deeply excited to join the College to celebrate its 20th anniversary, describing its story as one of vision, growth and perseverance.

The College of Medical Sciences was among the first to commence academic activities in 2006, barely a year after the university was established in 2005. Through the commitment of past and present leaders, Provosts, Deans, Heads of Departments and Staff, the College has strengthened its programmes, expanded its capacity for teaching and clinical training, and built a strong foundation for preparing doctors to meet the nation’s healthcare needs.

He disclosed that over the past two decades, about 1,000 medical graduates have been inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and are contributing to healthcare across Nigeria and beyond.  He revealed Management commitment to providing an enabling environment for the training of competent medical doctors. 

He appreciated parents and guardians for entrusting the University with their children’s education, and thanked the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Universities Commission (NUC) and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for their partnership.

Presenting the College’s scorecard, the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Haroun Omeiza Isah, disclosed that the College has produced a total of 911 medical doctors since inception.

Prof. Isah traced the history of Bingham University, established by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in 2005, noting that the College of Medical Sciences was among the pioneer colleges that took off at the temporary site of the ECWA Theological Seminary in Jos, before moving to the permanent campus in New Karu, Nasarawa State.

According to him, the Teaching Hospital has built significant capacity in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Psychiatry and Ophthalmology, and has played a leading role in infectious disease management, including Lassa fever, HIV, COVID-19 and Mpox. 

He noted that the historic Pinneo Infectious Disease Centre, linked to the first documented Lassa fever case in Nigeria, was transformed in collaboration with NCDC into a dedicated Lassa Fever Treatment Centre.

The Provost added that the College has diversified into Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Optometry, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health, and postgraduate Masters and PhD programmes. He unveiled future plans including AI-driven medical research, a Centre for Global Health Research and Development, a world-class Clinical Skills Laboratory, and stronger partnerships with University at Buffalo and Sumy State University.

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who was represented by his Deputy, Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo, felicitate with the College on its 20th anniversary, describing it as a testament to sacrifice, resilience and unwavering commitment to human capital development.

He stressed that the strength of a healthcare system depends not only on hospital equipment but on the quality of professionals, assuring that government will continue to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and partner with private and faith-based institutions like Bingham University.

He commended the University leadership for identifying critical needs such as uninterrupted power supply for research and practical training, and urged management and students to remain steadfast in excellence, discipline and service.

Delivering the anniversary public lecture titled “Christian Medical Education and the Future of Health Care in Nigeria,” the Secretary-General/Director-General of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN), Dr. Suleiman Mshelia, said 20 years is evidence that a vision has endured. “CHAN was established in 1973 and today has more than 700 member institutions. Christian medical education is not simply about producing people who can diagnose disease and prescribe treatment. It is about forming professionals who understand medicine as a calling to serve humanity,” he said.

Dr. Mshelia lamented the workforce crisis in Nigeria’s health sector, driven by migration of doctors, and called for strengthened primary healthcare, improved working conditions, and policies to retain health professionals.

We must train our students on the realities of Nigeria, place public health and primary care at the centre of training, and invest in research that addresses Nigerian problems, he said.

The 20th anniversary activities featured medical outreach, aerobic exercise sessions, novelty football match and rounded up with a thanksgiving service. 

The colourful ceremony was attended by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who was represented by his Deputy, Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo, representative of the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jemchang Fabong; Principal Officers of the University; members of the University Governing Council, Management, Deans, Staff and Students, as well as Emeritus Prof. A. M. Alhassan.

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Directorate of Public Affairs 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor 

Bingham University