FUNAAB Partners NUC to Set Stage for New Medical Varsity in Abeokuta

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), on July 31, 2025, hosted the National Universities Commission (NUC) Resource Verification Team, moving the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA), closer to launch. The high-level meeting took place in FUNAAB’s Red Chamber and focused on ensuring FUMMSA meets all accreditation benchmarks to commence operations in the 2025/2026 academic year.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, welcomed NUC officials and stakeholders, describing FUMMSA as FUNAAB’s “adopted child.” He affirmed the parent university’s commitment to share its resources and expertise: “We are proud to serve as the host and backbone of this noble initiative, having undergone this journey ourselves at FUNAAB’s inception. Our human and material resources are at FUMMSA’s disposal,” he said.

The NUC team, led by Prof. Ibrahim Yakasai, rigorously assessed FUMMSA’s academic plans, infrastructure, and facilities, including the Wole Soyinka Library, hostels, lecture halls, and laboratories. The visit confirmed progress on key academic and non-teaching infrastructure, with special attention to compliance with NUC standards for new universities.

ADVERTISEMENT

Prof. Fatiu Arogundade, FUMMSA Vice-Chancellor, expressed appreciation for FUNAAB’s instrumental role, noting, “The intellectual, academic and infrastructural support from FUNAAB underpins our vision of excellence, inclusivity, and access to quality healthcare education.” He announced that FUMMSA’s pioneer faculty will largely consist of distinguished adjunct lecturers from prominent institutions and conveyed optimism about timely academic take-off.

Dr. Adekunle Adediran, Acting Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, reiterated full FMC support, referencing an MoU between FMC and FUMMSA that will facilitate joint medical training, research, and clinical excellence.

The resource verification represents a landmark on FUMMSA’s journey to becoming a world-class institution and underscores the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s higher education and healthcare landscape.