Partnership Between Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja and Federal University Lokoja

The Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye on his courtesy visit to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), congratulated the Chief Medical Director, Assoc. Prof. Abdulrahman Ozovehe Shehu on his appointment.

The VC traced the history of FUL, which started about 15 years ago with only three Faculties and has grown into fourteen Faculties to include the College of Health Sciences.

According to the VC, FUL values its partnership with FTHL because of the hospital’s capacity and willingness to help the college fulfill its mandate.

He recalled the challenges FUL faced before securing accreditation in February 2026. Other challenges currently facing the College include personnel movement, hostel accommodation and the need for a renewable energy system to reduce electricity bills.

The Chief Medical Director, Assoc. Prof Shehu said in his remarks, that running and sustaining a Medical School is a serious undertaking and engagement hence, cannot succeed without a strong Teaching Hospital at its core. No medical graduate can practice without Medical and Dental Council's accreditation. Therefore, the priority of FTHL is to meet every requirement for training of medical students. He stated that the hospital is committed to supporting the Medical School through the entire process, having already highlighted the key gaps, the institutions must closely work together.

According to the CMD, personnel deployment will be flexible. In some cases, staff will be engaged directly by the university as others could be seconded from the hospital vice versa. He commended the Vice Chancellor for clarifying the financial framework and service rank in the Memorandum of Understanding. In addition, accreditations will ultimately hinge on the readiness across various specialties. He also commended the Vice Chancellor for asking for clarity early, and he assured that the entire FTHL team will be readily available to support the University at all times.

He reiterated that the plan of the hospital is to train both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiology and all related disciplines. To this end, the CMD pledged to expand the hospital's human resource base. According to him, approval for 400 new staff has already been secured with plans to double that figure next year. Over twenty medical professionals have indicated their interest and readiness to join the College with the financial arrangements settled. The next focus of the FTH Lokoja now, is on building an enabling environment that will allow this medical school to train large numbers of competent doctors. Our hospital is fully aligned and prepared to fulfill its role in this partnership.

Olubowale Emmanuel Lanre

Public Relations Officer

FTH, Lokoja.