The Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, Ogun state, will place the national health needs of Nigerians above all other academic considerations in the training of its students.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Fatiu Arogundade stated this during a press conference in Abeokuta.
Prof. Arogundade explained that the institution is strategically positioned to help close the widening brain-drain gap created by medical professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities.
According to him, the university’s programmes and training structure have been designed to produce highly skilled medical graduates who will not only meet global standards but also respond directly to Nigeria’s critical healthcare challenges.
Professor Arogundade emphasised that the newly established medical institution is coming into full operation with over 1000 students scheduled for its maiden Matriculation on Thursday, 20th November, 2025. These students form the first set of pioneers admitted into the university.
The Vice-Chancellor described the institution as a bold affirmation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration commitment to health, knowledge, and national renewal. He noted that the university represents a “marriage of science and humanity “, designed to address Nigeria’s evolving healthcare needs through world-class training and innovation.
“Our vision is to become a foremost institution for medical education and research, distinguished by innovation, ethical practice, and a patient-centred approach. We aspire to train practitioners and nurture reformers: men and women who will redefine what it means to heal in a complex world.
“By the time we produce adequate numbers, we will have the needed adequate number of medical professionals to take care of all of us and fill the vacuum created by the brain drains.”
“It will not only alleviate disease and suffering, but the university will also assist in creating jobs for many Nigerians that are still in need of jobs.”
“It will lead to improvement in the health indices as infant mortality, maternal mortality will improve and the overall health indices for the entire country will improve.”
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Commenting on the take-off carriage capacity of the university as it relates to the studentship, Arogundade disclosed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gave the medical institution an approval for a sum of 1000 students for 8 faculties which formed the core medical sciences courses to be run by the institution.
The Vice-chancellor however, appealed to well meaning Nigerians, particularly from the South West geo-political zone to partner with the university so as to enable it meet up with necessary infrastructural needs for the new institution, stressing that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibilities of all the institution’s needs.
The Nigerian Senate on April 5, 2022 passed a bill seeking to establish a Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology across the six geo-political zones in the country.
The establishment of the universities is to increase the supply of the much needed manpower in the healthcare sector, improve healthcare services, and boost income generation as well as ensure economic growth of the country.
The universities are also established to advance healthcare delivery in Nigeria through research and innovation, training, and development of the health sector.