FUHSO Clarifies MBBS Accreditation Efforts Following Student Protests, Sets MDCN Visit for 2026

The management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) has responded to recent student demonstrations and public concerns regarding the accreditation status of its Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) programme, stating that significant progress has been made under the current administration.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Information, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Mr. Sunday A. Igah, the university addressed what it described as widespread misconceptions about delays in the accreditation process.

 Background to the Accreditation Concerns

According to FUHSO, the current leadership, headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Uba, inherited major institutional and infrastructural gaps when it assumed office on May 13, 2025.

The institution claimed that, prior to the new administration, the MBBS programme had not undergone a Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Resource Verification or Advisory Visit for approximately four years. It also alleged that statutory accreditation fees had not been paid and that engagement with the regulatory body had stalled.

The university further pointed to several infrastructure challenges said to have affected accreditation readiness, including an abandoned Multi-User Laboratory project, the absence of an Autopsy Centre, a deteriorating morgue facility, and laboratories that reportedly fell below required MDCN standards.

 Steps Taken by Current Administration

FUHSO stated that the current administration has prioritised resolving these issues to ensure the MBBS programme meets regulatory requirements set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Key interventions highlighted include the payment of statutory accreditation fees, renewed engagement with the MDCN, and ongoing infrastructure upgrades across critical medical training facilities.

The university also outlined several ongoing and completed projects aimed at strengthening its medical education capacity. These include the expansion of the Anatomy Laboratory, upgrading of the Human Physiology Laboratory, reconstruction and modernisation of the morgue, construction of a new Autopsy Centre, and efforts to complete the Multi-User Laboratory project.

Additional developments include the procurement of a departmental bus for Community Medicine, secured accommodation for pioneer medical students, and targeted recruitment to address staffing gaps.

The institution also confirmed that previously sent-home students have been recalled, with lectures and practical sessions now ongoing.

 MDCN Accreditation Visit Scheduled

A major milestone in the university’s update is the confirmation that an accreditation visit by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has been scheduled for May 21, 2026.

FUHSO described this development as the result of sustained reforms and interventions carried out over the past year, expressing confidence in the process and reaffirming its commitment to securing full accreditation for the MBBS programme.

Student Concerns and Ongoing Dialogue

The statement comes in the wake of student protests over concerns related to accreditation delays and uncertainty around academic progression in the MBBS programme.

While acknowledging the tensions, the university maintained that its ongoing reforms are aimed at safeguarding the long-term academic and professional future of medical students at FUHSO.

The institution reiterated its commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and ensuring that all necessary standards are met for the training of future medical doctors in line with MDCN requirements.