The university was originally established as a state-owned institution by David Umahi during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State and was initially named “King David Umahi Health University” before the Federal Government dropped “King” and retained “David Umahi.”
The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, located in Uburu, Ebonyi State, was converted into a federally owned institution in 2022 during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The university was originally established as a state-owned institution by David Umahi during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State and was initially named “King David Umahi Health University” before the Federal Government dropped “King” and retained “David Umahi.”
Although now federally funded, multiple sources told SaharaReporters that Umahi, who is currently Nigeria’s Minister of Works, continues to exercise extraordinary control over the university, allegedly treating it like a privately run entity and targeting those who oppose him.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Umahi as the Minister of Works in 2023, making him a key part of his cabinet.
Several individuals who claim to have been victimised described operating within the institution as intimidating, with some saying Umahi wields his influence in a manner akin to a “god” within the university.
One source further alleged that the culture of suppressing dissent dates back to Umahi’s tenure as governor, when he was accused of diverting funds meant for the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital to build the university, now known as the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, in his hometown.
"The Academic Staff Union of Universities then kicked against using funds for EBSUTH to build a new university entirely in his hometown, Umahi ensured that he persecuted members of the Union in EBSU then. He started with the chairman as of 2020/2021, Professor Igwenyi Ikechukwu, and ensured that there was no strong union on campus," the university source said.
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