Wesley University Launches Major Initiative to Advance Innovation and Research in Primary Healthcare

Wesley University moves to boost community health research and urges the Nigerian government to reallocate budget resources to rural healthcare development.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 8:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Guardian Nigeria

Wesley University Positioned as Global Healthcare Education Hub

Wesley University in Ondo State has unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance its research, training, and innovation capabilities within the primary healthcare sector. Vice,Chancellor Prof. Samuel Obeka disclosed these moves during the institution’s maiden International Conference on Community Health, which attracted scholars from across Nigeria and the international community. The initiative is designed to transform the university into a central hub for academic excellence and global collaboration, specifically focusing on producing high,level professionals and researchers capable of addressing complex medical challenges at the local level.

Call for Strategic Budgetary Reallocation Toward Rural Health

Addressing the persistent gaps in Nigeria’s rural healthcare delivery, the university leadership has formally urged the government to reconsider its fiscal priorities. Prof. Obeka emphasized that community health is a sector requiring urgent attention in the national budget, advocating for a meaningful reallocation of resources to support development in underserved areas. According to the Vice,Chancellor, prioritizing community health is essential for national growth, as practitioners play a critical role in transforming the socioeconomic landscape of rural communities through improved medical outcomes and preventative care.

Rapid Academic Expansion and Inclusive Education Milestones

The university has undergone significant institutional growth, expanding its academic offerings from 23 to more than 64 programmes under the current administration. Beyond traditional healthcare, Wesley University has established a dedicated facility for deaf education, providing specialized interpreters and accommodation for hearing,impaired students. This commitment to inclusive education ensures that scholarly research and professional training remain accessible to all, reinforcing the institution’s role as a "brain box" for the nation in the fields of community health and mental health advocacy.