Azman University has once again signalled its ambition to become a centre of academic excellence as it welcomed officials from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for a crucial resource verification exercise. The exercise, which focused on five proposed undergraduate programmes—Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Criminology, and Physiotherapy—is a necessary step before the Commission can formally grant approval for these courses to begin.
Raising the Bar for Academic Standards
On Saturday, 23 August 2025, the NUC team arrived at Azman University to conduct an in-depth assessment of its teaching and learning facilities, staffing capacity, and curricular readiness. Resource verification is one of the Commission’s most important quality assurance tools, ensuring that universities do not just add new programmes on paper but have the physical, human, and intellectual resources to run them effectively.
For Azman University, this visit was far more than a regulatory hurdle. The management presented it as a milestone that reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence, and relevance in Nigerian higher education. The Vice-Chancellor and senior administrators emphasised that hosting the NUC was both an honour and an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness to provide students with a world-class learning experience.
This sense of pride is well placed. Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Criminology are not only popular programmes among young Nigerians but also critical fields needed to address gaps in the nation’s healthcare system, justice sector, and public safety. By seeking approval for these courses, Azman University is aligning itself with national development priorities while offering students career paths that are both socially relevant and globally competitive.
Years of Planning Behind the Scenes
The university’s journey to this point has been long and deliberate. As far back as 2020, Azman University began laying the foundation for some of these programmes, especially the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. In that year, the institution engaged Dr. Emeka Ofodeme, then Head of Academics and Training Regulation at the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, to provide expert guidance on how best to structure the department and meet accreditation requirements.
That early planning is now paying off. By investing in facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and consulting with regulatory experts, the university positioned itself to meet NUC’s high standards. The resource verification visit is, therefore, not a surprise but the natural outcome of years of preparation and strategic investment.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, one senior lecturer at the university remarked that “the verification is a kind of quality guarantee, both for us and for the students. It shows that what we are promising is backed by real substance—labs, classrooms, staff, and curricula that can stand the test of time.”
Building a Future for Students and Society
Beyond institutional prestige, the real beneficiaries of this process are the students and the larger society. For young people aspiring to build careers in health sciences and allied professions, these new programmes—once approved—will open up opportunities close to home rather than forcing them to seek admission in already overstretched institutions elsewhere.
Nigeria continues to face shortages of healthcare workers and criminology professionals. Nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and physiotherapists are in high demand, not only domestically but also internationally. With proper training and accreditation, graduates from Azman University could help fill these gaps, contributing to the nation’s development while also enjoying strong career prospects.
The university has already indicated that it intends to provide practical, hands-on training as part of these programmes. This is critical in today’s education landscape, where employers are looking beyond certificates to skills and competence. By combining theory with practical experience, Azman University hopes to produce graduates who are both employable and entrepreneurial.
The Bigger Picture: NUC’s Gatekeeping Role
The NUC’s resource verification process plays a central role in safeguarding quality across Nigerian universities. Over the years, there have been concerns about the rapid growth of private institutions and whether all of them meet the required standards. By enforcing a rigorous verification process, the Commission reassures students, parents, and employers that approved programmes meet acceptable levels of quality.
For Azman University, successfully passing this verification would not only add five new programmes but also enhance its reputation as a serious academic institution. It would signal to the Nigerian public that the university is more than a new entrant in the higher education space—it is an institution with the vision, resources, and determination to compete with established players.
Looking ahead, university officials remain optimistic. In their statement after the verification visit, they expressed confidence that the programmes will receive approval, describing the moment as “a testament to our mission of delivering quality higher education and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s development.”
Conclusion
Azman University’s hosting of the NUC resource verification team marks a turning point in its academic journey. The proposed programmes—Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Criminology—are not just courses of study; they are vital professional pathways that could shape Nigeria’s future workforce.
While the final approval lies with the NUC, the university’s preparedness, long-term planning, and investment in quality suggest that it is well positioned to succeed. For students, parents, and stakeholders in Nigerian higher education, this development is a reminder that the pursuit of excellence requires not only ambition but also accountability.
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