FUTA Teaching Hospital Seeks Stakeholder Support for Growth

The Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital has appealed for stronger backing from stakeholders as it seeks to expand medical services, research output and professional training in Ondo State.

Speaking in Akure during activities marking the hospital’s first anniversary, the pioneer Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, said the institution wants to become a leading medical research centre in Nigeria through partnerships with local and international organisations.

Ojo said the hospital, a Federal Government institution, is positioning itself as a training ground for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and health administrators. He said the management is focused on building systems that support ethical practice, stronger research governance and publication standards that can shape diagnostics, treatment pathways and public health policy.

He added that the hospital is working to make specialised care more available in Akure, including emergency interventions, cancer treatment, dialysis and neurosurgery, so that fewer patients have to travel long distances or seek treatment outside the country.

According to him, community-facing programmes also remain part of the plan. He said school health initiatives, radio-based awareness campaigns and patient advocacy efforts are being used to improve health information access and strengthen patient rights.

Ojo acknowledged that the institution has faced difficult startup conditions, especially around funding and internal restructuring. He said the budget cycle for the year had already advanced before full take-off, which created pressure in the early months of operations. He also said introducing new structures required staff reorientation and adjustments in authority flow across units.

Despite the challenges, he said the management team is making progress and asked residents and partners to stay engaged while ongoing development work continues. He called on volunteers, non-governmental organisations, businesses and community leaders to support the hospital through donations, infrastructure assistance and policy advocacy.

The CMD commended the Ondo State Government, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and other traditional leaders for what he described as consistent support. He said state-level logistical assistance has helped sustain operations as the hospital continues its expansion plans.