Enhancing the state’s healthcare workforce, the Niger State government has forged an agreement with 60 indigenous medical students to join the state’s workforce upon completing their studies.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, representing Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, oversaw the signing of the agreement in Minna, the state’s capital.
During the signing, Bago mentioned that some medical students in their clinical years have shown interest in serving the state upon graduation.
The cohort of 60 medical students comprises 43 males and 17 females from various universities within and outside the country, including the Islamic University in Uganda, East Africa.
Bago also announced ongoing discussions with universities in India to train medical, engineering, and ICT students from Niger State.
He stated, “The conversion of the former Shiroro Hotel in Minna to a teaching hospital affiliated with the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU, Lapai, is progressing well. This will facilitate opportunities for postgraduate training.”
Alhaji Salisu Abubakar, the Niger State Head of Service, highlighted the significance of investing in human capital development and the importance of consistent progress monitoring and evaluation for sustainability.
He assured that Governor Bago’s administration will continue to implement policies to prevent brain drain in the state’s healthcare sector and other professions.
Abubakar stressed the necessity of involving local medical students in the state’s civil service to deter them from seeking opportunities abroad after their housemanship.
Similarly, Dr. Bello Tukur, the Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, encouraged the medical students to strive for excellence in their studies and uphold the terms of the agreement with the state governor.