Ondo Transfers Akure Hospital to FUTA Teaching Hospital, Reviews Agriculture, Infrastructure Policies

By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the transfer of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital complex in Akure to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), for use as its College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital.

The decision was taken on Thursday at the Council meeting presided over by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said the handover followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for FUTA to establish a College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital.

He explained that the transfer covers staff, infrastructure, equipment, and liabilities, adding that all personnel of the facility would be absorbed into the new FUTA Teaching Hospital.

“This development will not only strengthen healthcare delivery in Ondo State but also position FUTA as a major hub for medical sciences in Nigeria,” Ajaka stated.

In another briefing, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, announced new measures to safeguard farmers from the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which restricts the importation of products linked to deforested land.

He said the state had adopted agroforestry practices and introduced strict mapping and traceability systems for crops such as cocoa, cashew, oil palm, and rubber to ensure continued access to the EU market.

“By December 30, 2025, any crop not traceable to mapped farms risks rejection in Europe.

To protect livelihoods, the government will support mapping and grant necessary permits to farmers,” Akinola added.

The commissioner also disclosed that tariffs across agricultural produce and timber value chains would be reviewed in line with policies of other Southwest states under the DAWN Commission framework.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, revealed that each cabinet member had been directed to nominate one road project per local government area, describing it as a grassroots-focused intervention separate from the 2025 budget.

In a related development, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Hamidu Takuro, announced the ratification of the appointment of His Royal Highness Joseph Ilésanmí as the traditional ruler of Sosan in Akoko South-East Local Government Area.