The Ondo State Government has announced the transfer of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) complex in Akure to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), to serve as the institution’s College of Medicine Teaching Hospital.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, disclosed this after the State Executive Council meeting on Friday. He explained that the decision followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for FUTA to establish a college of medicine and a teaching hospital.
According to him, the hospital complex in Akure will now serve as FUTA’s main medical sciences facility. “The handover includes the transfer of staff infrastructure, equipment, and liabilities. All employees will be absorbed into FUTA Teaching Hospital under the Federal Government,” Ajaka said. He added that the move is expected to boost healthcare delivery in Ondo while positioning FUTA as a top medical sciences hub in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, revealed that the council has approved new agroforestry measures to protect farmers from the impact of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which bans crops grown on deforested lands. He said, “Cocoa, cashew, oil palm, and rubber farmers will be permitted to continue operations under strict mapping and traceability systems. By December 30, 2025, any crop that cannot be traced to a mapped farm risks being rejected at the EU market.”
To safeguard farmers’ livelihoods, the state government will support farm mapping and grant permits to ensure produce remains exportable. Akinola also confirmed that tariffs across agricultural produce and timber value chains have been reviewed in line with other South-West states under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission framework.
On infrastructure, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said council members have been directed to nominate one road project each in their local government areas to enhance rural connectivity. He clarified that the initiative is not for partisan gain but to ensure fairness across all 18 LGAs. “These roads are outside the 2025 budgeted projects. They are supplementary interventions to touch communities and enhance connectivity,” Ajanaku stated.
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With these approvals, Ondo State says it is strengthening healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure to drive inclusive development.
