The Nigerian Senate has passed the second reading of a bill seeking to establish a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
The bill, presented during plenary in Abuja by Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi (Ondo State), aims to create a specialized institution to support the university’s Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) program.
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Senator Adeniyi highlighted that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved the MBBS program in 2010, with classes officially commencing in the 2020–2021 academic session. He explained the necessity of a teaching hospital for medical students, particularly during the clinical years of their training.
“The course duration itself is six years,” Adeniyi stated. “The first year is spent in the faculty of science, studying physics, chemistry, biology, and other general subjects. The pre-clinical years last for approximately 18 months, and success in the examinations qualifies the student to proceed to the clinical years, which are mostly spent in a teaching institute.”
He emphasized that FUTA students are approaching the clinical phase of their studies but currently lack access to a dedicated teaching hospital. This situation, he warned, could negatively impact the quality of their training. While the university is negotiating with the Ondo State Government to temporarily use the Akure General Hospital, a permanent teaching hospital is critical.
Senator Adeniyi further underscored the broader importance of the bill, noting the increasing need for well-trained medical personnel in Nigeria due to population growth and the brain drain in the healthcare sector.
“We must take urgent and concrete steps towards training more medical personnel,” he said. “This bill will ensure that FUTA students are properly equipped to address the health needs of our citizens.”
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for further legislative input. The committee is expected to report back to the Senate in four weeks.
If enacted, the FUTA Teaching Hospital will enhance medical education and healthcare delivery in Nigeria, reflecting the Senate’s commitment to addressing critical gaps in the nation’s health sector.