In a landmark development for healthcare and education in Ondo State, the State Executive Council has approved the full transfer of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital complex in Akure to the Federal Government. The facility will now serve as the College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
The decision was ratified during a recent State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval for FUTA to establish its own medical college.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, confirmed that the transfer includes all infrastructure, equipment, staff, and liabilities.
“All current employees of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital will be absorbed by the Federal Government under FUTA’s management,” Ajaka said. “This move is expected to significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the state and establish FUTA as a national hub for medical sciences.”
The transfer is seen as a strategic move to leverage federal resources for improved healthcare infrastructure in Ondo State while aligning with FUTA’s academic expansion goals.
Also addressing the press, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, announced a new initiative mandating each cabinet member to nominate a road project in their respective local government area. These roads will be implemented outside the 2025 budget as supplementary projects aimed at promoting equitable rural development.
“This directive ensures balanced infrastructural development across Ondo State. The selected projects are not for partisan or personal benefit but for the overall improvement of community connectivity,” Ajanaku emphasized.
In another major policy announcement, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Leye Akinola, unveiled a proactive plan to shield Ondo farmers from the adverse impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The regulation, which takes effect by December 30, 2025, prohibits the importation of agricultural products grown on deforested land into the EU.
“We are implementing agroforestry systems, mapping all active farms, and issuing permits to help our farmers maintain access to the EU market,” Akinola stated. “Traceability is key. Any crop that cannot be linked to a mapped, non-deforested farm will be rejected in European markets.”
To further support the agriculture sector, the SEC approved a review of tariffs on agricultural produce and timber. The goal is to align Ondo State with other Southwest states under the DAWN Commission’s regional integration framework.
