The House of Representatives has passed the bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende, Abia State, marking a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare and medical education system.
The bill, which successfully scaled its third reading during plenary on Wednesday, was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, alongside Hon. Wole Oke and five other lawmakers. Its passage followed the adoption of recommendations from the House Committee on University Education, with lawmakers approving all 29 clauses, including the schedules, memorandum, and long title.
The proposed institution is designed to enhance medical education, research, and healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Once established, the university will:
Offer full-time training leading to degrees in medicine and health sciences.
Promote academic and professional programs in biomedical engineering, scientific research, and allied health disciplines.
Advance postgraduate research and innovation to optimize the utilization of Nigeria’s health resources.
Develop solutions to Nigeria’s healthcare challenges through research and national collaborations.
Provide medical outreach programs, in-service training, and continuous education to improve public health services.
Furthermore, the university will operate as a corporate entity with legal recognition, ensuring its capacity to engage in academic and research collaborations at national and international levels.
Presenting the report of the Committee of the Whole, the House Leader, Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, moved for its adoption, a motion seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
With the House’s approval, the bill moves closer to full legislative enactment, paving the way for the establishment of a specialized institution committed to medical excellence and healthcare innovation in Nigeria.
