By Peter Omopo
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Friday inaugurated 11 multi-billion-naira projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun (FUHSI), Osun State, as part of the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen medical education and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by former Osun State Governor, Chief Adebisi Akande; the Osun State Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole; the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedokun; and the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, among other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Alausa said the newly completed facilities would significantly enhance the quality of medical training, research and healthcare services in the country if properly utilised. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding medical training institutions and improving clinical learning environments nationwide.
The projects inaugurated include a new Senate Building, university library, lecture theatres, faculty auditorium, university gate, multidisciplinary research library, health centre, teaching hospital and three other infrastructure projects.
According to the minister, a strong medical education system is critical to reducing dependence on foreign healthcare, curbing medical tourism and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to local and global health challenges.
“Medical education reduces medical tourism, strengthens our public health systems, drives biomedical research and innovation, creates high-skilled jobs, attracts investment into the health economy and ensures a healthy, productive population essential for national development,” he said, describing medical education as “a national security priority.”
Alausa added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently prioritised the expansion of medical training institutions, the improvement of clinical learning environments and the modernisation of health sciences infrastructure across the country.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSI, Prof Akeem Lasisi, disclosed that the university, established in 2021, currently runs 13 academic programmes with a student population of 3,493.
He said the 11 projects inaugurated were funded through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and federal budgetary appropriations, noting that most of the facilities are already in use and contributed to the institution’s success in its recent National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise.
Lasisi, however, highlighted the university’s urgent need for a stable power supply, calling for support in providing inverter and solar power systems to reduce reliance on costly diesel.
“We are in desperate need of alternative energy sources, as the cost of diesel is progressively becoming unbearable,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, Prof Wale Sulaiman, represented by Dr Yakub Awba, said the institution is focused on laying a strong foundation that would enable it to compete globally.
He identified infrastructure development, clean energy, internet connectivity, IT systems, staff and student welfare, and the transition to e-governance as key priorities.
Sulaiman also donated two mini-buses to the university to help ease transportation challenges on campus.
