TETFund Unveils 13 Projects to Boost Medical Education at FUHSA

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned 13 projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), to expand medical training, strengthen research and improve healthcare delivery.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Friday during the commissioning ceremony in Azare, Bauchi State. He said the projects reflected the Federal Government’s determination to build Nigeria’s capacity for specialised medical education.

Echono praised the university’s governing council, Senate, management and staff for accelerating its development since its establishment in 2021. He said the institution’s progress demonstrated the impact of strategic planning and sustained investment in medical education.

According to him, TETFund has supported FUHSA with funding for infrastructure, academic development, research facilities and institutional expansion.

He also urged Nigerians not to view the migration of medical professionals abroad, popularly known as the “japa” syndrome, as a reason to slow investment in health education.

Rather, he called for increased training capacity to meet domestic demand while allowing Nigeria to benefit from the international contributions of its medical professionals.

“I’m one of those who hold the view that we should not worry about what many call the japa syndrome. What we need to do is to intensify our investment as we invest to produce more medical and health personnel,” Echono said.

He added that Nigeria could benefit economically from exporting skilled professionals, arguing that their contributions could outweigh the value of some natural resources exported in raw form.

“I can assure you the value of those exports are higher than the natural resources that we are exporting in crude form,” he said.

Echono noted that Nigerian medical professionals enjoy international recognition. He said their remittances, knowledge transfer and possible return to the country could contribute to national development.

The TETFund chief also stressed that institutions that use their allocations effectively and complete projects on schedule deserve further support.

The 13 commissioned projects include modern laboratories, lecture theatres, student hostels, research centres and other essential facilities. They are expected to improve the training of doctors, biomedical scientists, nurses, pharmacists, public health experts and other health professionals.

Echono recalled that the Federal Government established six specialised federal universities of health sciences in 2021, with one located in each geopolitical zone.

He said the initiative followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need to strengthen medical research, expand the health workforce and prepare the country for future public health emergencies.

He also announced that TETFund’s board had endorsed and recommended contracts for eight medical simulation centres nationwide to the Federal Executive Council.

FUHSA is among the beneficiary institutions. Echono said the projects were expected to begin in 2026, while the installation of equipment was scheduled for 2027.

He commended the Bauchi State Government and the people of Azare for supporting the university’s establishment and growth. He said the state government’s cooperation helped secure a suitable location for the institution.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSA, Prof. Bala Audu, said the university had depended heavily on TETFund for infrastructure and equipment since its establishment.

Audu described the commissioned Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences building as one of the institution’s major infrastructure achievements.

He said the building houses five departments, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, laboratories, academic offices and a lecture theatre.

However, the vice-chancellor said FUHSA needed further investment to develop its Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences. He explained that the additional facilities would enable the university to expand medical training in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

Audu said the country needed more institutions capable of producing the health professionals required to address persistent workforce shortages.

“The investment that the Federal Government has made in this institution and indeed all the specialised Federal Universities of Health Sciences is to produce the desired manpower for health,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria trains health professionals who serve both the country and international health systems, making further investment in medical education necessary.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Samuel Adejare, said FUHSA had recorded significant progress and had joined the specialised federal universities already graduating students.

Adejare commended the vice-chancellor and management for their commitment to institutional development. He said the governing council had maintained a cooperative relationship with the university’s management.

He also appealed for additional funding to construct larger hostels for male and female students, describing adequate accommodation as one of the institution’s pressing infrastructure needs.