The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated 13 projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, to strengthen medical education, research and healthcare delivery.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Friday during the inauguration ceremony at the university in Azare.
Echono said the projects underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s capacity for world-class medical education and producing the skilled health professionals needed to improve healthcare delivery.
He commended the university’s Governing Council, Senate, management and staff for their contributions to the institution’s rapid development since its establishment in 2021.
According to him, FUHSA’s growth demonstrates the impact of purposeful investment, strategic planning and national commitment to specialised medical education.
According to him, the facilities would provide conducive learning environments for future doctors, biomedical scientists, nurses, pharmacists, public health experts and other health professionals.
Echono recalled that the Federal Government decided in 2021 to establish six specialised federal medical training institutions, one in each geopolitical zone, to address the shortage of healthcare professionals.
He said the initiative followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s medical research capacity and preparedness for future health emergencies.
The TETFund executive secretary also disclosed that the fund’s board had endorsed and recommended contracts for the establishment of eight medical simulation centres nationwide to the Federal Executive Council.
He said FUHSA was among the beneficiary institutions, adding that the projects were expected to commence in 2026, with equipment installation scheduled for 2027.
Echono commended the Bauchi State Government and residents of Azare for supporting the establishment and development of the university, noting that the state’s cooperation had facilitated the process of securing a suitable location for the institution.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSA, Prof. Bala Audu, said the university had relied heavily on TETFund for infrastructure and equipment since its establishment.
Audu described the newly inaugurated Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences building as one of the university’s major infrastructure projects.
He said the facility housed five departments, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, laboratories, academic offices and a lecture theatre.
The vice-chancellor, however, called for additional interventions to develop the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences to expand the university’s capacity for medical training.
