Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance medical education and clinical training for nursing and other healthcare-related courses.
As part of the agreement, students from Cosmopolitan University will now undertake their clinical training at the National Hospital, Abuja, a move designed to address workforce shortages in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Government’s Commitment to Expanding Medical Training
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the importance of expanding training opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s medical workforce.
“If we weren’t training them, they wouldn’t have been attractive to other countries. But because Nigerian health workers are well-trained, people come to take them. Unfortunately, that affects service delivery here at home,” Pate said.
He explained that the government has adopted a progressive approach—expanding medical training so that even if some professionals leave, others will stay, and many may return in the future.
He assured that professional standards would not be compromised, as regulatory bodies would oversee compliance in both the public and private sectors.
Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmed, Registrar of Cosmopolitan University, described the MoU as a landmark achievement for the institution.
“We searched for the best facility for our students to gain first-hand clinical experience, and the National Hospital came highly recommended due to its high patient volume and diverse medical services,” he said.
Ahmed further revealed that the partnership is expected to expand, with discussions already underway to introduce a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme in collaboration with the National Hospital.
“The Chief Medical Director mentioned that this is just the beginning. We are working towards launching an MBBS programme, allowing us to train not only medical doctors but also other healthcare professionals,” he added.
Strategic Location and Future Prospects
Highlighting a key advantage of the collaboration, Ahmed noted that Cosmopolitan University is located directly opposite the National Hospital, making the partnership logistically convenient for both students and medical professionals.
“We are happy about today’s milestone and look forward to even bigger achievements in the future,” he said.
Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, also praised the partnership, stating that it would provide vast training opportunities for Cosmopolitan University’s students and significantly contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s medical workforce.
This agreement marks a significant step towards bridging the healthcare workforce gap in Nigeria, ensuring that more highly trained professionals are available to serve the nation.
