The federal government on Friday inaugurated N7 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)-supported projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences (FUSHI), Ila Orangun, Osun, marking a step in strengthening medical education infrastructure in Nigeria.
The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, while inaugurating the projects, said the facilities would elevate the quality of training, research, innovation and healthcare delivery for decades to come. He described the projects as an affirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the education ministry’s ongoing reform programme.
Mr Alausa described medical education as a national security priority, stressing that no country can grow beyond the quality of its health workforce. He said medical education is not merely an academic discipline but a national security priority, an economic growth engine and a measure of a nation’s civilisation.
According to him, a strong medical education system reduces dependence on foreign medical care and helps to curb medical tourism. He explained that this was why the president consistently emphasised the expansion of medical training institutions, the improvement of clinical learning environments and the modernisation of health sciences infrastructure nationwide.
“Today’s inauguration is a reminder that the future of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery lies in the quality of our medical education system,” the minister said. He urged the university management to maintain a culture of maintenance, innovation, discipline and academic distinction.
“These facilities must become hubs for world-class research, groundbreaking discoveries, and transformative teaching practices and be well maintained,” Mr Alausa added.
The chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Masari, said the inauguration of the projects signified meaningful progress towards the mission of making Nigerian tertiary institutions globally relevant and competitive. Mr Masari, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, said the projects formed part of the N10.5 billion allocated to the university from 2021 to date.
He disclosed that out of the allocated funds, the university had accessed more than N9.4 billion, leaving a balance of N1.1 billion, most of which had already been committed. He urged the management, staff and students to ensure proper maintenance and protection of the facilities.
“Let me reaffirm that TETFund will continue to support the university’s drive for innovation, creativity and impactful research, while sustaining our investments in critical infrastructure,” Mr Masari said.
In his remarks, the vice chancellor of the university, Akeem Lasisi, said the institution, established in 2021, was currently running 13 academic programmes with a total student population of 3,493. He said the National Universities Commission (NUC) had visited the university for the accreditation of nine programmes, while the remaining four would be ripe for accreditation in 2026.
Mr Lasisi also said that 453 students of the university had benefited from more than N130 million disbursed through NELFund.
The pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Wale Sulaiman, said the council was committed to ensuring that the institution becomes a hub for academic excellence, innovation and healthcare development. He said the inaugurated projects symbolise the dedication of the council to the vision of the university’s founding fathers.
Mr Sulaiman added that the projects also reflect the transformational agenda of the President to increase access to education and training of more medical personnel, improve access to healthcare, provide state-of-the-art medical facilities, foster research and promote academic excellence.
“One of our main priorities going forward is to continue to lay strong foundations for FUHSI to compete on the world stage,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Governor Ademola Adeleke said Osun State remained committed to supporting the university’s expansion and research advancement. Represented by the commissioner for education, Dipo Eluwole, the governor said education remains a priority of his administration.
The projects inaugurated include the Senate Building, Health Centre, University Gate and Road, Multidisciplinary Clinical Centre, and the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, among other facilities designed to strengthen learning, research and healthcare delivery.
