Niger State Government Inaugurates Committee to Fast-Track MDCN Accreditation for IBBUL College of Health Sciences

The Niger State Government has inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Committee to work with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in resolving the critical gaps observed during the recent pre-clinical and advisory accreditation exercise conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). 

The Committee’s mandate is to conduct a post-mortem analysis of all observations raised by the MDCN team and guide the state towards full compliance with Medical Education standards.

The Committee drawn from the Ministries of Health, Tertiary Education and Works, as well as State Bureau of Public Procurement and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai paid a courtesy visit on the University Management to initiate coordinated action on the gaps identified by MDCN. 

The visit underscored the government’s urgency in addressing issues that directly affect the accreditation status of the College of Health Sciences of the University.

Chaired by the Managing Director of Niger State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Umaru Isah, the Committee is tasked with engaging stakeholders across health, education, procurement and infrastructure sectors. 

It is expected to study the MDCN evaluation report, harmonize expert opinions and recommend both immediate, medium and long-term interventions and to submit a detailed report to the Governor within three weeks.

Welcoming the team on behalf of the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Salihu Mohammed Niworu described the State Government swift intervention as timely and strategic.

He said the MDCN’s report provided honest and professional feedback needed to strengthen the University’s Medical programme.

Professor Niworu stated that the University had already begun internal reviews of the observed gaps, particularly in infrastructure, staffing and laboratory development. 

He assured the Committee of the Management’s full cooperation, stressing that the Institution is committed to meeting regulatory standards and building a Medical School that can compete with leading institutions nationwide.

It would be recalled that the MDCN delegation, led by Professor Idris Muhammad of Bayero University Kano, had spent 48 hours on campus assessing facilities, academic structures and compliance readiness for a full Medical programme. 

The team made some observations that must be addressed before its revisit in the next six months.

These findings now form the basis of the Inter-ministerial Committee’s assignment.