Opinion:VC Na’Allah’s Footprints: Elevating Nursing and Allied Health Sciences to New Heights

Opinion:VC Na’Allah’s Footprints: Elevating Nursing and Allied Health Sciences to New Heights

By

 Khadijat Toyin Musah Ph.D. FWAPCNM

9/6/2024

The Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Abuja is one of the newly established faculties on campus by our visionary Vice-Chancellor. This faculty has experienced remarkable growth and development under the visionary leadership of the distinguished Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah.

His commitment to academic excellence, financial prudence, infrastructure development, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and strategic vision has transformed the faculty into a hub of innovation and excellence.

In August 2023, the faculty presented two programs, Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (B.MLS) to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and got approval for the commencement of the two programs from  2022/23 and 2023/24 academic sessions.

This would not have been possible without the strong will and supports of our dear Vice-Chancellor. Consequently, this NUC approval provides students with a wider range of educational opportunities and ensuring alignment with emerging trends in healthcare and allied sciences.

Similarly, the faculty received the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Team for professional resource accreditation from  22nd to 24th May 2024. It is expected that the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria will visit the faculty to assess the resources for professional accreditation of the Medical Laboratory Science program before the end of June 2024.

 Indeed, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is a mover and shaker.

Academic Leadership: One of the hallmarks of Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s tenure has been his exemplary academic leadership. His strategic initiatives have propelled our faculty to new heights of excellence. Notably, under his guidance, the faculty secured a research grant which has facilitated research and innovation in nursing and allied health sciences.

Our faculty has been fondly named by the university community as ‘‘the most sought faculty’’ This can be attested to with the quantum of requests to study nursing education and medical laboratory science. Furthermore, the faculty members tapped into the innovative ideology of Mr.Vice-Chancellor and submitted a proposal for the Establishment of the Centre for Health Systems Support and Development.

The Centre for Health Systems Support and Development is envisioned as a dynamic hub for research, training, and collaboration, focusing on the enhancement of healthcare systems both locally and globally. Its establishment aligns seamlessly with the university’s commitment to excellence, community engagement, and addressing the evolving needs of our society.

The proposal details the key components of the center, including research initiatives, training programs, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships. It outlines how the center will contribute to academic growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, internally generated revenue, and the university’s impact on societal development. The proposal considers the involvement of the university community, external stakeholders, and potential collaborators in shaping the vision and activities of the center.

Engaging with faculty members, administrators, government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community organizations will be crucial to the center’s success. It is fulfilling to document that, the proposal after thorough assessment and presentation on the floor of committees of Provost, Deans, and Directors was approved by Senate.

The Centre was approved to commence professional Master and doctorate degrees ensuring that nursing and allied health science program aligned with global best practices and tailored to address the unique healthcare needs of Nigeria.

This is evident by the recently advertised professional postgraduate Master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing and allied health program by the University of Abuja, the first of its kind in Nigerian universities. While making the inclusion of postgraduate Master’s and doctorate degrees in Sports Nursing the first of their kinds in West African universities.

Financial Stewardship: Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s prudent financial stewardship has been instrumental in the growth and sustainability of our fast-growing faculty.

Through his strategic planning and resource allocation, he successfully secured funds for establishing the new faculties, ensuring adequate financial support for its programs and initiatives. Specifically, our prudent Vice-Chancellor secured eight hundred million naira grant from TETFUND for the take-off of a building project for our faculty.

His astute management of financial resources has enabled our faculty to thrive amidst budgetary constraints, fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability within the faculty.

Community Engagement: Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is a strong advocate for community engagement and social responsibility.

He has encouraged faculty members and students to actively participate in community outreach programs, health campaigns, and volunteer initiatives aimed at addressing pressing healthcare needs within the community. Through collaborative partnerships with local healthcare institutions and government agencies, our faculty has made significant contributions to improving health outcomes and promoting wellness in underserved communities.

 The faculty also adopts health communication strategies to disseminate information using social media platforms. We engaged student workers to participate actively in all health campaigns.Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting diversity and inclusion is a core value of Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s leadership philosophy.

He has championed efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment within our faculty and the university community where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel valued and respected. By fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, he has enriched the academic experience for students and faculty, promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. This is very true of our distinguished Vice-Chancellor.

Strategic Vision: At the heart of Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s leadership is a clear and compelling strategic vision for the future of our faculty and the university at large. He has articulated bold goals and objectives aimed at positioning the faculty on a global map. His visionary leadership has inspired faculty members and students to strive for excellence and pursue innovative solutions to complex healthcare challenges.It is important to put on records that faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences is dear to the heart of our Vice-Chancellor.

 In conclusion, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor has left an indelible mark not only on the Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences but also on the University of Abuja as a whole. His academic leadership, financial stewardship, infrastructure development, community engagement, diversity and inclusion efforts, and strategic vision have propelled it to new heights of success, recognition, and distinction.

As a result of his transformative leadership, the faculty is well-positioned to continue making significant contributions to the advancement of nursing and allied health sciences in Nigeria and beyond.As a testament to his impact, our faculty honored Professor Na’Allah with the ‘Change Maker Award’ during his faculty tour, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to academic excellence and his role as a catalyst for positive change in university of Abuja.

My Vice-Chancellor, our Vice-Chancellor sir, as you move on to new horizons, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the impact you’ve had on our fast-growing faculty, the academic and non-teaching staff, our dear students, and on my academic and personal journey.Your tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of this great university may be ending but the lessons you’ve taught me, the opportunities you’ve provided, and the memories we’ve shared will stay with me forever. Thank you, sir.

Khadijat Toyin Musah Ph.D. FWAPCNM

A/Professor & Pioneer Dean,

Faculty of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences,

University of Abuja.