The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved six new undergraduate programmes for the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.
The approval will enable the specialised university to expand its academic offerings in health and medical sciences, creating additional opportunities for students seeking professional training in various healthcare-related disciplines.
The newly approved programmes are Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.DS.), B.Sc. Dental Therapy, B.Sc. Dental Technology, B.Sc. Pharmacology and B.Sc. Prosthetics and Orthotics.
According to a statement from the university, the approval followed a resource verification exercise conducted by a panel of experts constituted by the NUC to assess the institution’s readiness to commence and sustain the programmes.
The assessment examined the human and material resources available for the proposed courses to ensure compliance with the commission’s regulatory standards.
Following the successful verification exercise, the NUC Executive Secretary approved the programmes for full-time study, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The development marks another milestone in the growth of SUMAS, which is focused on advancing education and professional training in medicine, health sciences, natural and applied sciences, engineering and related disciplines.
The university management attributed the achievement to the support of the Enugu State Government, the Governing Council, university management and staff.
It particularly commended Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s support for educational development and the continued expansion of the institution.
The management also acknowledged the contributions of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike, whose leadership and guidance it said had supported the university’s institutional development.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Chukwuma Ogbonna, also praised members of the management team, academic and non-academic staff, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the university’s progress and the successful resource verification exercise.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to providing quality education, strengthening research and innovation, and meeting national and international standards in healthcare training.
The university said the introduction of the new programmes would broaden access to specialised education and strengthen its capacity to train professionals in clinical practice, pharmaceutical sciences, dental care, vision care and rehabilitative health services.
Prospective students interested in the newly approved courses have been advised to monitor the university’s official communication channels for details of admission requirements and application procedures.
