Benue governor approves conditional N103,000 monthly allowance for medical students

Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has announced the reestablishment of the bonding agreement for medical students at the College of Health Sciences, Benue State University.

Alia made the announcement on Monday during the 9th Professional Induction and Admission Ceremony for the 2023 Graduating Doctors of the college in Makurdi.

In line with the renewed bonding arrangement, the state government is committed to providing monthly allowances of ₦103,000 to all medical students at the institution until their graduation.

However, this comes with a condition that they must serve the state for a mandatory period of not less than two years before deciding on their future engagements.

Originally introduced during the administration of Gabriel Suswam, the bonding agreement had been discontinued during Samuel Ortom’s government.

This discontinuation led to a constant exodus of graduates seeking better opportunities outside the state.

Governor Alia, while making the announcement, encouraged medical professionals from Benue who had left the state in search of better prospects to return, assuring them of improved opportunities within Benue. He emphasized his commitment to supporting the state-owned university and achieving the clear objectives of his administration’s policy statements.

He applauded the foresight and dedication of the founding fathers and staff of the university’s Medical School, acknowledging their resilience in building the institution from its foundation to its present status despite numerous challenges.

Governor Alia commended the medical graduates of the institution for their remarkable contributions to the healthcare sector worldwide.

He announced an increase in the admission quota for the MBBS program from 75 to 150 students, accrediting this to the institution’s outstanding medical facilities and the high-quality doctors it produces.