Professor Innocent Ujah, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), recently stepped down from his position, citing health reasons after several years of service. During his tenure, he played a critical role in establishing the institution and guiding it through its formative stages.

In his place, the university has appointed Professor Stephen Abah, who previously served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), as the Acting Vice-Chancellor. This transition comes at a time when FUHSO has been involved in various local challenges, including protests from the host community regarding employment practices. Nevertheless, the institution continues to progress in its mission to train healthcare professionals in Nigeria

Innocent Ujah

Professor Innocent Ujah, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), shared insights into his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari, attributing it to his professional merit rather than ethnicity. A native of Aidogodo in Okpokwu LGA, Ujah was appointed in May, following his distinguished career as a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), as well as his role as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

In an interview, Ujah emphasized his long-standing qualifications and leadership experience, which included serving as a professor since 2001, and heading several faculties. He also noted his unique position as the first person from northern Nigeria to lead NIMR, where he revamped the institution’s approach to medical research. Ujah regarded his appointment as an act of divine intervention, asserting that President Buhari selected him based on merit, and expressed pride in the establishment of FUHSO in Idoma land​