Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has signed into law a bill that transforms the state-of-the-art Reference Hospital in Okene into the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the announcement during a press briefing in Lokoja. Fanwo explained that the new development aligns with the National Universities Commission’s approval for CUSTECH to offer a full-time Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, along with other medical courses.
“This move ensures the university’s medical programmes begin on a solid foundation,” Fanwo said, highlighting the extensive collaboration between CUSTECH, the State Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education in making the transition possible.
He commended the State House of Assembly for passing the bill, which Governor Ododo has now enacted into law. According to Fanwo, the transformation is part of the administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare and education in Kogi State.
“The former Reference Hospital, now CUSTECH Teaching Hospital, is equipped with world-class medical facilities, including some technologies debuting for the first time in Africa,” Fanwo stated. He emphasized that the hospital’s state-of-the-art infrastructure will help train outstanding healthcare professionals for Kogi State and beyond.
Fanwo described the signing of the bill as a significant milestone in the state’s development, underscoring the government’s continued prioritization of healthcare and education. He expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for their role in making the landmark achievement possible.
