By Monsurat Abisoye
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved six new full-time academic programmes for the University of Benin (UNIBEN), effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The new approvals cover both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. At the undergraduate level, the commission approved two specialised courses: Bachelor’s degrees in Speech Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Other approved programmes include B.Sc. International Relations, B.Sc. Intelligence and Security Studies, B.Ed. Primary Education, and B.N.Sc. Nursing Science is offered in collaboration with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
According to the university’s spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the development aligns with efforts to implement the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa’s policy on training skilled professionals in the health sector, particularly in speech and occupational therapy, to address the shortage of experts in Nigeria.
The NUC also approved the university’s Centre of Excellence in Space Science Technology to run Master’s and PhD programmes in Remote Sensing and Aeronautics Engineering.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba Omoregie, while expressing appreciation to the NUC, reaffirmed UNIBEN’s commitment to maintaining its position as a leading institution for manpower development through its wide range of academic programmes.
