The Federal Government and the Imo State Government have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the takeover and upgrade of General Hospital, Okigwe, into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC), in a move aimed at expanding access to specialist healthcare services and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.
The agreement was formalised on June 3, 2026, in Owerri during a ceremony attended by key government officials, healthcare stakeholders and representatives of both governments.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, praised Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for his administration’s commitment to healthcare development, describing Imo as one of Nigeria’s leading states in health sector performance.
Salako noted that the upgrade aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of bringing specialist healthcare services closer to the people and advancing universal health coverage across the country.
According to the Minister, the establishment of the new Federal Medical Centre will reduce barriers to quality healthcare, particularly for residents of Imo State and neighbouring communities, while also supporting efforts to curb medical tourism.
He highlighted several healthcare achievements recorded by the Imo State Government, including the rehabilitation of health facilities, transformation of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, expansion of health insurance coverage and the development of specialist healthcare centres.
Salako assured that the Federal Government would provide the necessary funding, infrastructure, equipment and manpower to ensure the successful take-off of the new medical centre.
He further disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would immediately begin a comprehensive audit of the hospital’s workforce, assuring that staff willing to transition into Federal Government service would be retained, while additional personnel would be recruited to fill identified gaps.
In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Okigwe, describing the decision as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to equitable development and improved healthcare access.
The governor recalled that following the conversion of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, into a teaching hospital after the upgrade of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a Federal University of Education, Imo State was left without a Federal Medical Centre.
He explained that the state government voluntarily handed over the General Hospital, Okigwe, to the Federal Government as the take-off site for the new FMC in the overriding public interest.
Uzodimma stated that the transfer included the hospital’s assets, liabilities and workforce, noting that workers overwhelmingly supported their migration into Federal Government service.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government in ensuring the success of the new institution and improving healthcare outcomes for residents.
The governor also commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its various interventions in the state’s health sector, particularly in healthcare infrastructure development, health insurance expansion and other strategic health programmes.
The development followed the appointment of Emily Akuabia Nzeribe as Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe, whose appointment letter was presented on April 17, 2026.
Stakeholders said the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe, is expected to significantly improve access to specialist healthcare services and boost the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Imo State and the South-East region.
