Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged to partner with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army University, Biu, to establish a College of Medical Sciences aimed at addressing the shortage of medical professionals in Borno State and Nigeria.
Zulum made the pledge when he received the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Awwal Bawa Moriki, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai, and other members of the management team during a courtesy visit to Government House, Maiduguri.
Key Highlights
- Zulum pledges state government support for a College of Medical Sciences at Nigerian Army University, Biu.
- The governor says the project could take three to four years to actualise.
- Preclinical departments will be established as part of the initial phase.
- Borno State Government approves a proposed MoU to support clinical training at the State Specialist Hospital.
- The government will explore possible support from the North East Development Commission.
- The university’s Vice-Chancellor commends Zulum for a N100 million donation and the construction of housing units.
Zulum Moves to Address Shortage of Medical Professionals
The governor expressed concern over the declining number of medical professionals in Borno State and across the country, stressing the need to expand the capacity of tertiary institutions to train doctors and other healthcare personnel.
He said the proposed College of Medical Sciences would strengthen medical education and help address the shortage of healthcare workers.
“I want to assure you that Borno State Government will partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army University, Biu, with a view to establishing a College of Medical Sciences in the institution,” Zulum said.
To advance the proposal, the governor directed the Commissioner for Education, the Vice-Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, the Chief Medical Director of Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital, and the management of Nigerian Army University, Biu, to work together on a practical framework for establishing the college.
Medical College Project to Begin With Preclinical Departments
Zulum acknowledged that establishing a College of Medical Sciences would require extensive planning, infrastructure development and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
He said the project would be implemented in phases, beginning with the establishment of preclinical departments.
“The establishment of a new College of Medical Sciences in a university is not easy. It will take us nothing less than three to four years to actualise this dream, and we have to begin with the establishment of the preclinical departments,” he stated.
The proposed timeline highlights the scale of the work required before the institution can begin full medical training.
Borno Approves Proposed MoU for Clinical Training
As part of the preparations, the governor approved a proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Borno State Government and Nigerian Army University, Biu, to utilise clinical training opportunities at the State Specialist Hospital.
“Borno State Government has agreed to your proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Army University, Biu, with a view to harnessing the potential of the Specialist Hospital,” he said.
The proposed arrangement is expected to provide a framework for clinical training as the university works towards establishing its medical programme.
Read also:
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Zulum Seeks Support for University Infrastructure
The governor also directed the management of Nigerian Army University, Biu, to submit its proposed building designs to the Commissioner for Education for assessment.
He added that the state government would explore opportunities to secure support from the North East Development Commission, where feasible, to facilitate the project.
The proposed collaboration is expected to bring together state and federal institutions to address infrastructure and training requirements for the planned College of Medical Sciences.
Nigerian Army University Commends Borno Government
Earlier, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai, commiserated with Zulum over the death of his niece and expressed appreciation for the Borno State Government’s support for the institution.
Buratai specifically acknowledged the governor’s recent donation of N100 million and the construction of housing units, which he said had contributed to improving teaching and learning at the university.
The proposed medical college represents a further step towards expanding the university’s academic capacity and strengthening medical education in Borno State.
If implemented, the initiative could increase opportunities for medical training and contribute to efforts to address Nigeria’s shortage of healthcare professionals.
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