HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Babcock University is the first University in Nigeria, indeed Africa, and perhaps globally to
offer the first Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. At inception, the Department of
Nursing and Community Health was created to offer three major programmes: Bachelor of
Science in Public Health, Bachelor of Nursing Science, and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory
Science. The Bachelor of Laboratory Science was put on hold. Later, the Department
became Department of Health Sciences. Today, it is a standalone Department in the School
of Public and Allied Health offering one program: Bachelor of Science in Public Health
(since 1999). The Public Health Program has FULL Accreditation from the National
Universities Commission (NUC).

PHILOSOPHY
Many Health Institutions exist for the sole purpose of promoting good health. The
department of Public Health is unique in its approach of health promotion, established on the
premise of a divine philosophy of health.
We believe that health began with Christ from the beginning. Health was given to man as a
free gift. However, as soon as sin set in, man’s health has continued to be threatened. Man
therefore continues to strive to attain optimum health. A combination of the practice of
sound health principles and belief in divine intervention promotes optimum health.
We seek to instill these principles in our own students and others through holistic health
education to prepare them for the world now and for the future. We are committed to helping
man attain a level of health whereby he is socially, mentally, physically and spiritually
satisfied.

VISION STATEMENT
The department’s vision is to prevent diseases, promote good health and protect life of
immediate, extended and world community.

MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission as Christian health professionals is to promote and restore health and
wholeness to all people through teaching, research and community service.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our goal is to reflect the overarching mission and goal of the Seventh-day Adventist
Philosophy of education as upheld by Babcock University, which traditionally emphasizes
the balanced and harmonious development of the whole man in his physical, social and
spiritual environment, as specified in the Bulletin. These goal and objectives are expressed
within the following domains: Intellectual, Occupational, Aesthetic, Physical, Social and
Spiritual.

The specifics of the goals and objectives are clearly stated in the Babcock University
Bulletin,. However, each program in the department will achieve the corporate goals of the
Institution through its special perspective as a composite of the grand emphasis on ‘Health
for All.

VALUES
As we seek to develop high academic and professional competencies in our students, we also
desire to integrate Christian values in preparing them as health care professionals, in
harmony with our conviction of what Christian education should be, and to appreciate the
meaning of the dignity, integrity, value and self-worth of mankind. Therefore, in developing
professional skills in our students, we hold in high esteem the following values:
1. Magnanimity and Prudence;
2. Beneficence of God - who provides all resources in Love;
3. Honesty;
4. Equity - all are created equal and should be treated with due consideration;
5. Respect – for the beliefs, values and culture of others;
6. Dignity of labour - as it is appointed unto us to serve humanity;
7. Essence of true knowledge - all truth is God’s truth;
8. Integrity - matching faith with action;
9. Right attitude; and
10. Faith - man’s response to receive that which God provides for him.
DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM*
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSc Public Health)
*It is an Honours Degree programs.

The multiple and complex factors that affect the health and wellbeing of communities require a new generation of public health professionals to utilize the robust Public Health strategies to positively change individual health behaviors, motivate organizational/health system changes, initiate pragmatic health policy actions, as well as encourage robust socio-economic empowerment programs to improve health outcomes.