In a significant boost for Medical education in Osun State, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has granted final accreditation to Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo. This approval permits the institution to formally graduate its medical students. The announcement was made during a visit by the MDCN Registrar, Prof. Fatimah Kyari, and her team to the Government House in Osogbo. Governor Ademola Adeleke received the news with praise, assuring the council of his administration’s continued support for the university.
A Historic Leap in Admission Quota
The accreditation team, led by Deputy Registrar Dr. Nnaemeka Nwakanma on behalf of Prof. Kyari, commended the governor’s efforts. They specifically noted his provision of essential equipment, which facilitated the final accreditation of the College of Medicine within a record seven years. Dr. Nwakanma highlighted the governor’s significant impact over just three years, stating it culminated in this achievement.
Dr. Nwakanma provided context on the council’s rigorous standards, which have been upheld since its establishment in 1963 . He revealed that UNIOSUN’s new admission quota has been set at 150. This places it on par with much older institutions.
He explained, “Until three months ago, Obafemi Awolowo University admission quota was 100, which was what was approved for UNIOSUN in 2023.” He further noted that the “University of Lagos, which was established in the ’60s, has 150 admission quota for medical students till date despite its decades of existence.”
He also mentioned that even the University of Ibadan, often ranked among the top for medicine , has a capacity of 180. “Sir, the oldest university in Nigeria, the 76-year-old University of Ibadan that was ranked No. 4 in Commonwealth nations in the 70s, has a quota capacity of 180, even though the university limited its capacity to 120.”
“The requirements considered in allocating admission quota include manpower, human resources available, capacity of the facilities, laboratories, and the state of facilities in the hospitals, and whether they have what it takes to train students,” he added. Concluding his remarks, he stated, “In a bid to encourage Your Excellency because of your huge investment in tertiary education, especially the medical college, MDCN has not only granted final full accreditation for the College of Medicine in UNIOSUN but has also placed the university at par with the training capacity of the University of Lagos and other big universities you can think of in Nigeria, which is 150.”
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure Paves the Way
This accreditation success is partly attributed to significant infrastructure development, notably the new Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital in Osogbo . The 250-bed facility was donated by the university’s Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, and her family. It was officially commissioned to bridge gaps in medical training and reduce medical tourism .
Governor Adeleke responded with enthusiasm to the accreditation, thanking the MDCN for the honour. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to education, promising to double the university’s admission capacity for medicine before the next accreditation exercise.
Governor Pledges to Tackle ‘Japa Syndrome’
The governor also addressed the pressing national issue of brain drain, known locally as the “Japa syndrome.” He lamented that poor working conditions are forcing Nigeria’s best medical talents to seek opportunities abroad.
“When you go to the biggest hospitals in the UK, America and elsewhere in Europe, Nigerians are the best hands you will find there, and it is because there is no conducive working environment for them in Nigeria. But we must work together to reverse the trend,” the governor said. His concern aligns with stakeholders who attribute this exodus to factors like poor funding, dilapidated infrastructure, and weak policy implementation . Dr. Nwakanma had earlier confirmed the accreditation’s significance, stating, “This team has just approved and granted final full accreditation to the medical school. It didn’t come easy.”