Vice-Chancellor Calls for Support as New Medical University Holds Its First Matriculation.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, Prof. Fatiu Arogundade, has appealed to well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support the growth of the newly established institution, which began operations only five months ago.

Arogundade noted that running a university requires enormous funding and cannot be left solely to the government. He commended President Bola Tinubu for creating specialised medical universities across the six geopolitical zones, saying the initiative will help boost the country’s healthcare workforce and reduce the impact of the Japa trend by producing more qualified health professionals annually.

He made the appeal during a briefing to announce the university’s first matriculation ceremony scheduled for Thursday. The VC explained that the school was approved to admit 1,000 students after resource verification, and that over 850 pioneer students admitted through JAMB will participate in the ceremony.

The institution currently offers programmes in Nursing Science, Medicine, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science, among others. While the university operates temporarily within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta campus, preparations are underway to relocate to its permanent 170-hectare site at Ajibayo town, which is still under construction.

Arogundade also revealed that regulatory bodies — including the National Universities Commission, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria — have mandated that the permanent site must reach a reasonable level of development in the coming months for the institution to secure accreditation for its eight faculties within the next two years.

He acknowledged the support received so far from the federal and state governments, as well as prominent indigenes, but stressed that much more is required to ensure rapid development.

According to him, “The Federal Government cannot shoulder the full cost of providing all the facilities needed for a specialised university. We welcome endowments, donations and equipment, which may be named after donors if desired.” He added that hostel development will be carried out through a public-private partnership to be advertised soon.

Arogundade reiterated the university’s commitment to producing healthcare professionals who combine knowledge, empathy and innovation, and emphasised that every programme and partnership aligns with the institution’s mission to provide transformative medical education.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ogun State Government, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, for their support, while urging continued collaboration from all stakeholders to help the university achieve its vision.

He also highlighted the wider challenges facing government-owned universities, including chronic underfunding, inadequate facilities and high student-to-lecturer ratios, which often trigger industrial actions as unions push for improved investment in tertiary education.