Mudiame University, Irua, in Edo State, has formalised a partnership with Edo Specialist Hospital to provide clinical training for its medical students, marking a key step in the institution’s efforts to fully operationalise its medical programmes.
The agreement was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Benin City, bringing to a close months of engagement between both institutions.
The development followed the approval granted in October 2025 by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the university to run a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
A core requirement of that approval is the establishment of a partnership with a licensed healthcare facility where students can undertake compulsory clinical training.
With Edo Specialist Hospital now serving as that partner institution, the university has effectively cleared a major regulatory hurdle.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, said the collaboration reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships. He noted that the government would continue to support initiatives that enhance both medical education and service delivery.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Paul Eighenhenrior, emphasised the importance of research and institutional collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes.
He said the ministry remains committed to supporting efforts that promote quality healthcare services in the state.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Emmanuel Aluyor, described the agreement as timely, noting that the institution is already admitting its second cohort of medical students. He explained that clinical training begins in the third year, adding that the university had taken proactive steps to ensure that the required infrastructure would be in place ahead of time.
According to him, the partnership with Edo Specialist Hospital, supported by the state government, guarantees that students will have access to a functional and well-equipped facility for their practical training.
In her remarks, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr Anthonia Njoku, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to the agreement, expressing readiness to collaborate fully to ensure the success of the programme.
The stakeholders said the partnership highlights that early clinical affiliations will enable the institute to meet regulatory standards and improve the quality of medical training while showing the increasing role of subnational governments in supporting healthcare education through institutional linkages.
