NSUK VC Clarifies FMC Keffi Partnership, Dismisses Ownership Transfer Claims

The Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, has clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the university and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, is solely for academic collaboration and clinical training, not the transfer of ownership or management of the hospital.

Professor Liman made the clarification during an interactive session with selected journalists on Wednesday at her office in the Senate Building, following public misconceptions surrounding the agreement.

She explained that the MoU provides a framework for collaboration between both institutions to strengthen medical education, clinical research and healthcare service delivery while allowing each organisation to retain its statutory responsibilities and institutional identity.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the partnership is intended to support the training of students in the University’s College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, including those studying Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science and other allied health programmes.

She stressed that the agreement does not in any way transfer the ownership or management of the Federal Government-owned medical centre to NSUK.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Memorandum of Understanding does not transfer the management or ownership of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, to Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Both institutions will retain their respective identities and statutory responsibilities while working synergistically to improve medical training and healthcare delivery,” she said.

Professor Liman stated that the collaboration would give NSUK students access to FMC Keffi’s laboratories, specialised medical equipment and clinical facilities for practical instruction, clinical postings, industrial training, internships and other hands-on learning experiences.

She added that under the agreement, FMC Keffi will serve as the University’s Teaching and Clinical Training Centre for its medical and allied health programmes, a development she said would improve the quality of professional training and expand experiential learning opportunities for students.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the public, stakeholders and the media to disregard reports suggesting that the university had taken over the ownership or management of the hospital, advising that information on the partnership should be obtained through official communications from NSUK and FMC Keffi.

She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strategic partnerships that promote academic excellence, innovation and national development, expressing confidence that the collaboration would strengthen clinical education, produce highly skilled healthcare professionals and improve healthcare delivery in the country.