HRM Oba Frances Olushola Alao lauds the University’s growth during his first official and familiarization visit to SUMAS, Igbo-Eno.
October 27, 2026
The State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, received His Royal Majesty, Oba Frances Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on his first official and familiarisation visit to the University.
The royal father was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor of SUMAS, Professor James Chukwuma Ogbonna (FAS), alongside other principal officers of the University. The visit provided an opportunity for the distinguished monarch to familiarize himself with the University’s academic environment, infrastructural development, healthcare facilities and overall institutional progress.
During a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, HRM Oba Alao expressed admiration for the remarkable progress recorded by SUMAS under the leadership of Professor Ogbonna. He commended the Vice-Chancellor for his vision, commitment and efforts towards positioning the institution as a leading center for medical, scientific, technological and professional education in Nigeria.
The monarch acknowledged the development taking place within the University and applauded the leadership and dedication required to build an institution with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to human capital development, healthcare delivery and national advancement.
Oba Alao also expressed commendation for the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his support and commitment to the development of SUMAS. He described Governor Mbah as a trusted governor in the South-East, expressing confidence in the Governor’s leadership and the trust he enjoys at the national level.
His remarks underscored the importance of purposeful leadership, strategic partnerships and sustained government support in advancing higher education and institutional development.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogbonna, welcomed the royal visitor and expressed appreciation for his interest in SUMAS. He highlighted the University’s commitment to providing quality education, developing competent professionals and creating an enabling environment for teaching, learning, research and healthcare services.
The Vice-Chancellor’s engagement with the monarch further provided an opportunity to showcase the University’s vision, ongoing projects and determination to establish SUMAS as a university of distinction in medical and applied sciences.
A major highlight of the visit was an extensive tour of the University’s facilities, during which the royal father visited selected faculties and other strategic infrastructure across the campus.
The tour included visits to some of the University’s academic faculties, where he had the opportunity to observe the facilities supporting teaching, learning and professional training.
The monarch also visited the SUMAS Teaching Hospital, where he was introduced to the University’s healthcare infrastructure and its role in supporting clinical training and healthcare delivery. His visit to the Mother and Child Hospital further highlighted the University’s commitment to specialized healthcare services and the training of future healthcare professionals.
Other facilities inspected during the tour included the male and female student hostels, which provide accommodation for students, as well as the University’s new library building, an important addition to the institution’s academic infrastructure.
The inspection of these facilities offered the royal visitor a broader understanding of the University’s expanding infrastructure and its efforts to provide a conducive environment for academic excellence, student welfare, research and professional development.
The visit also showcased the University’s growing capacity to integrate academic training with practical experience, particularly in medicine, allied health sciences, natural and applied sciences, engineering and other professional disciplines.
The visit of HRM Oba Frances Olushola Alao represents an important moment of recognition for the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences as it continues to consolidate its position as a specialised institution committed to excellence in education, research, innovation and healthcare delivery.
His commendation of the Vice-Chancellor and Governor Mbah serves as encouragement to the University’s Management and other stakeholders to sustain their commitment to the institution’s growth and development.
The royal visit further reinforces the importance of collaboration among traditional institutions, government, university leadership and other stakeholders in promoting educational advancement and sustainable development.
As SUMAS continues to expand its academic programmes, strengthen its infrastructure and enhance its healthcare services, the University remains committed to its mandate of producing competent professionals and contributing to the advancement of Enugu State, Nigeria and the wider society.
The familiarisation visit concluded with a renewed appreciation of the University’s progress and its potential to make lasting contributions to education, healthcare and national development.
