…Move aims to boost healthcare delivery and medical education through strategic public-private partnership in Kwara South.
#KwaraRising
The Kwara State Government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade the Omu Aran General Hospital into a teaching hospital for the medical students of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko, located in Irepodun Local Government Area.
The initiative, expected to produce more quality health professionals—including medical officers and other specialists—was described as another bold move by the administration to deepen its collaboration with private institutions for enhanced healthcare delivery across the state.
This is not the first time the state is embarking on such a partnership. Last year, it signed a similar MoU with Al-Hikmah University, allowing the institution to use the newly upgraded Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin as a teaching hospital to aid its medical course accreditation process.
The MoU signing ceremony with TAU drew senior government officials, traditional rulers, top academics, and other stakeholders from the health and education sectors.
Present at the event were Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam; Commissioner for Communications Hon. Bola Olukoju; Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Hon. Yakub AbdulAzeez; Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board Dr. Abdulraheem Malik; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; APC chieftain Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; Founder and Chancellor of TAU Dr. Thomas Adewumi; TAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Francisca Oladipo; representative of the Acting Head of Service Dr. Okedare Adeyinka; Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University Prof. Nuah Yusuf; Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University Prof. Kazeem Bolagbade; and Prof. Suleiman Kuranga, among others.
Also in attendance were prominent traditional rulers including the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismaila Yahya Alebiosu; the Olomu of Omu Aran, Oba Raheem Oladele Olaoti; the Olupako of Share, Oba Olawale Haruna Ilufemiloye; and the Oloko of Oko-Irese, Oba Victor Olawuyi.
In her keynote address, Dr. El-Imam described the event as another milestone in strengthening the state’s health system. She praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his proactive leadership, saying he consistently outperforms even his own development targets across sectors.
The Commissioner highlighted the administration’s recent recruitment of 1,005 health professionals—including doctors, nurses, and midwives—the ongoing process to implement the new CONMESS salary structure, various facility upgrades, and the establishment of the Kwara State Teaching Hospital.
“To the glory of God, I have been privileged to work in America, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria, and nowhere in the world have I seen a sector completely run by the government that succeeded,” she said. “It takes a forward-thinking, visionary, and dynamic personality like Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to know the limit and seek the collaboration and support of the private sector. This is what is at play here today.”
Speaking on behalf of the people of Kwara South, Oba Ismail Alebiosu commended the Governor for the historic gesture. He noted that with the recent commissioning of the Osi Campus of KWASU and multiple road projects in the region, the Governor had shown he was committed to equitable development across the state.
“We have never had it this good in our region,” he said. “This is another big one. It shows that he is a Governor for the whole of Kwara State. We are grateful to him.”
Oba Alebiosu also praised Dr. Thomas Adewumi as a “fantastic problem solver and a pride of the region,” acknowledging his efforts toward the growth of the university and his broader humanitarian contributions.
The Olomu of Omu Aran, Oba Raheem Olaoti, said the project signifies improved healthcare delivery in Kwara South and described the Governor’s approach to governance as a continuation of progress rather than abandonment of inherited projects.
“This gesture shows the government is bringing healthcare to the people of Kwara South, which also means bringing life to us,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Adewumi expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for his inclusive leadership and commitment to fairness, saying the Governor’s support for TAU reflects his genuine love for the people of Kwara State, including those in the southern region.
