FUTA Secures Medical Programme Accreditation After Five-Year Wait

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State has successfully secured accreditation for its College of Health Sciences, marking a significant achievement after a five-year effort. The approval from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) was confirmed following a visit to the institution on Wednesday.

Additionally, the MDCN has authorized an admission quota of 100 students for the university's medical programme. The delegation from the MDCN was led by Deputy Registrar Nnameka Nwakanma, who officially communicated the accreditation status to FUTA's management. During their visit, the MDCN team expressed satisfaction with the university's preparations and emphasized the importance of adhering to the council's regulatory standards.

This accreditation brings a sense of relief to students in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, who have faced a two-year delay in their academic progression. FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Adenike Oladiji, stated that the university management had worked diligently to establish the necessary infrastructure and facilities for accreditation. She reiterated the university's commitment to maintaining excellence in medical education and meeting all MDCN requirements.

Mrs. Oladiji also extended gratitude to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and key community leaders for their contributions, including the donation of multi-million naira ultra-modern teaching laboratories and accommodation for medical students. The Chief Medical Director of FUTA Teaching Hospital, Professor Olusegun Ojo, hailed the MDCN's approval as a landmark success, highlighting its importance for the students' future.

The MBBS program, initiated in 2021, had been unable to advance beyond the 300-level due to the absence of accreditation. Recent efforts to expedite the process included the formal opening of new medical laboratory facilities and a hostel for medical students, alongside FUTA's takeover of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, which is crucial for student training. These developments followed expressions of frustration from students and stakeholders regarding the accreditation delays.