The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to introduce six new full-time undergraduate programmes alongside additional postgraduate courses beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The development was announced on Saturday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, who described the approval as a major milestone in the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and manpower development.
According to Ehanire, the approval followed a successful resource assessment conducted by the NUC on the proposed programmes.
Among the newly approved undergraduate courses are Bachelor of Science degrees in Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. She noted that both programmes align with the Federal Government’s initiative, championed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to address the shortage of skilled professionals in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Other undergraduate programmes approved by the commission include Bachelor of Science degrees in International Relations and Intelligence and Security Studies, Bachelor of Education in Primary Education, and Bachelor of Nursing Science.
The Nursing Science programme will be run in collaboration with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), providing students with practical clinical exposure and professional training opportunities.
In addition, UNIBEN’s Centre of Excellence in Space Science, Technology and Application has received approval to offer postgraduate degrees, including Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programmes in Remote Sensing and Aeronautics Engineering.
Reacting to the approval, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, expressed gratitude to the NUC for its support and confidence in the institution’s academic capacity.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to maintaining its reputation as a leading centre for teaching, research, and human capital development through the expansion of innovative and industry-relevant academic programmes.
The latest approvals are expected to broaden educational opportunities for students while strengthening UNIBEN’s role in producing highly skilled professionals across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
