Ondo community supports FUTA medical training with 50-bed hostel, modern lab

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Indigenes of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have donated a 50-bed hostel and an ultra-modern medical laboratory to the College of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to support medical training at the institution.

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Following the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital for the university on December 16, 2024, the facility commenced operations on October 24, 2025.

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The Ondo State Government had earlier handed over the University of Medical Sciences complex in Akure for the take-off of the teaching hospital, pending the completion of its permanent site.

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Speaking at the inauguration of the projects on the university campus on Wednesday, an Akure indigene and Chairman of the Central Community Planning Committee on the FUTA Teaching Hospital, Dr Olufemi Oyinsan, described the development as another milestone in the effort to establish a fully functional teaching hospital in the city.

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Oyinsan explained that the establishment of the College of Health Sciences in FUTA was crucial to securing approval for the teaching hospital, noting that “a strong medical college became the foundation upon which our demand stood.”

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He commended elder statesman and leader of the Afenifere group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Sunday Abegunde, alongside other prominent sons and daughters of Akure, for their roles in facilitating the approval of the teaching hospital.

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“At a crucial time when the project needed lifeline support, these individuals stepped in. Hon. Abegunde, in particular, funded well over 50 per cent of the laboratory equipment we are commissioning today,” Oyinsan said.

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In his remarks, Abegunde expressed gratitude for the honour of having the laboratory named after him, describing it as a reflection of collective community effort rather than personal achievement.

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“This recognition is not about me alone; it represents a shared vision for progress, education, and investment in our future,” he said.

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Stressing the importance of quality training in building a strong healthcare system, Abegunde added, “No nation can rise above the standard of its healthcare, and that standard depends on how well its professionals are trained.”

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In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, appreciated the donors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the realisation of the projects, noting that the new facilities would provide an enabling environment for training students and supporting the teaching hospital.

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She said, “The FUTA MBBS programme commenced in 2021 after due resource verification. However, the basic laboratory and teaching hospital required for the programme were not available.

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“The challenge of securing a teaching hospital persisted until Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa brought together the state government, the Akure community, and the management of FUTA for deliberations, leading to the conversion of the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, to the FUTA Teaching Hospital.

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“Let me use this opportunity to thank His Excellency for his magnanimity and public-spiritedness, which made this possible. It marked a significant step towards securing full accreditation for our MBBS programme.

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“Medical training is highly specialised. We are preparing professionals who will be entrusted with the health and well-being of others. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria maintains very high standards, including the provision of hostel accommodation close to the teaching hospital, which is non-negotiable.”

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The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also highlighted the importance of equipping the College of Health Sciences, noting that the success of the teaching hospital depends on the quality of graduates it produces.

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“Without proper training and qualified graduates, the teaching hospital cannot function effectively,” the monarch said.

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