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UNIBEN Veterinary Medicine Faculty Shut Down Over Non-accreditation

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2024

Editor

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria has shut down the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Benin, Edo State.

The decision is a result of the university’s inability to meet the standard requirements to run Veterinary Medicine programmes at the institution.

A serving Assistant Inspector General of Police and President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Aishatu Abubaka-Baju, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the ongoing 60th Annual Congress of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association held in Jos, Plateau State.

The President stated, “We are just coming from the University of Benin and other universities. We have closed down Veterinary Medicine at the University of Benin for lack of standards, so it cannot admit students. For the University of Abuja, it was granted interim accreditation, and the council will revisit the universities in two years.”

The President maintained that the Council is determined to reposition veterinary medicine in public higher institutions across the country for more effective service delivery.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual Congress, several top government officials, including the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, assured that the Federal Government would facilitate more profitable ventures in veterinary and related businesses in the country.

They said that the move would help the government tap into the maximum economic potential in the sector.

“We thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the vision of establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. This significant initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing livestock production and productivity, and improving the livelihood of millions of Nigerians involved in livestock farming.

“As a Ministry, we believe that collaboration between the government, research institutions, and the private sector will be key to unlocking opportunities in the use of artificial intelligence in veterinary service delivery. Together, we can drive research, foster innovation, and develop the necessary infrastructure to effectively implement artificial intelligence solutions in our livestock sector,” the Permanent Secretary said.

The President of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Moses Arokoyo, stated that the 2024 annual Congress, themed “A Century of Veterinary Service Delivery in Nigeria: Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in National Food Security,” underscores the critical role in advancing various sectors of the economy.

He encouraged participants to explore the innovations and leverage them while expressing the hope that the meeting would provide a platform to discuss ways to effectively harness the country’s livestock resources to achieve national food security.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.