BY Mercy Gadia Adi
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health workforce through strategic public and private partnerships.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Achievers University, Owo, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Ondo State. The MoU allows Achievers University, a privately owned institution, to utilize facilities at FMC Owo for the clinical training of its medical, nursing, and allied health students.
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The agreement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed health agenda, which prioritizes collaboration between the public and private sectors to bridge the critical shortage of health workers in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the partnership as timely and strategic.
“This MoU exemplifies the vision of Mr. President to harness the potential of private investments in education and health, and to create synergies that will ultimately benefit Nigerians,” Dr. Salako said.
The Minister emphasized that expanding the training space for healthcare professionals is vital, especially as many trained health workers continue to migrate abroad in large numbers. According to Dr. Salako, the government is exploring mechanisms to convert the growing health workforce migration trend into an opportunity, where destination countries are expected to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s health system.
Dr. Salako commended Achievers University’s resilience and vision in establishing a thriving educational institution that now offers fully accredited programmes in medicine, nursing, medical laboratory sciences, and other fields. “Your journey reflects the power of determination and resourcefulness,” he said.
The founder and Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, described the journey to the MoU signing as one of perseverance and institutional integrity.
“In the last nine months, from submitting our proposal to securing approval, we never had to use political influence. Everything followed due process. This speaks volumes about the credibility and professionalism of the Federal Ministry of Health,” he said.
Prof. Ayorinde added that the agreement is not just a document, but a promise to raise the bar in medical training. “We’re already building beyond the regulatory requirements to ensure quality education for our students,” he said. The Medical Director of FMC Owo, Dr. Hamed Liasu, affirmed the resourcefulness of the hospital to execute the MoU successfully, stating that the hospital currently trains Resident Doctors in eleven different departments.
The signing of the MoU was witnessed by key officials of the Ministry, including the Director Hospital Services Department, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh mni, and the management team from Achievers University and FMC Owo. This partnership is expected to boost medical training in Nigeria and help address the shortage of health workers in the country.