By Olukayode Babalola
Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner on teaching, research, clinical training, healthcare service delivery, and community health development.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ja’afaru Abdullahi, Acting Information and Protocol Officer of the university and made available to newsmen in Keffi local government area of the state on Thursday.
According to Abdullahi, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed on August 4, 2026, at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja.
He added that Professor Sa’adatu Liman, Vice Chancellor of NSUK who led the University’s delegation described the agreement as a transformative partnership that would significantly enhance the University’s medical and allied health sciences programmes.
Quoting Liman, Abdullahi said that the collaboration reflects NSUK’s determination to bridge the gap between classroom instruction, laboratory work, and practical clinical experience while expanding opportunities for research, innovation, and professional development.
“Under the terms of the MoU, both institutions will jointly train undergraduate and postgraduate students, with particular emphasis on clinical rotations, internships, and residency programmes,” she stated.
The NSUK Acting IPO noted that the partnership will also establish joint research committees, shared laboratories, and innovation hubs to promote cutting-edge medical research and innovation.
He further added that the agreement further provides for collaboration in staff recruitment, placement, training, continuous professional development, capacity building, and the shared responsibility for the remuneration of academic staff.
“In addition, both institutions will jointly utilize and invest in critical infrastructure, including laboratories, classrooms, libraries, ICT facilities, simulation centres, and student hostels.
“Beyond academics, the partnership is designed to strengthen patient care services while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards,” he said.
Abdullahi added that the partnership also commits both institutions to collaborate on public health programmes, community outreach services, and state-wide health initiatives, as well as explore other areas of mutual cooperation that will contribute to healthcare development across Nigeria.
Abdullahi noted that Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health who witnessed the ceremony had described the MoU as a step forward in strengthening medical education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Hon. John Mamman representing the Nasarawa state government also lauded the initiative as a major boost for the state.
He added that NSUK and FMC Keffi led by its Acting Managing Director, Dr Usman Kana said they were committed to sustaining the partnership to produce globally competitive healthcare professionals.
Abdullahi said the ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the agreement and a renewed pledge by all stakeholders to sustain the partnership as a model for institutional collaboration in medical education and healthcare development.
In an interview with newsmen, Liman reiterated that the MoU is a joint partnership and not a complete takeover of FMC Keffi by the university as speculated on social media recently.
“It’s a joint partnership for the usage of laboratories, equipments and training and internships of students. When students get to 300 level, they will be looking for hospitals for their trainings. So FMC Keffi will serve as their hospital for training.
“As they get to 300 level there must be a place for them to continue their training. It is either a medical centre in which the federal government will turn it into a teaching hospital for the university or the federal government allows the university to affiliate with a medical Institution to partner in training students.
“In our own case, what has been approved for now is a partnership with FMC Keffi to train our students. So it’s not a complete takeover as speculated on social media,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)