Housemanship Review: Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, Kogi State

Thinking of doing your housejob at FMC Lokoja? Here’s a full breakdown of accommodation, pay, work environment, and lifestyle to help you prepare.

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja is a tertiary healthcare facility located in Kogi State, Nigeria. It is now known as the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja.

Location & Address

Address: No. 1, Saliu Ibrahim Way, PMB 1001, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Getting There:

• From any junction in Lokoja, simply tell the transporter you’re going to FMC.

• Tip: Avoid northern transporters if possible—they often struggle with communication and may get lost.

Accommodation

FMC Lokoja offers two options: inside the hospital and outside quarters.

Inside Hospital Quarters

• Rooms: 16 rooms total.

• Facilities: Big foam bed, fan, medium fridge (some faulty), wall closet, table & chair, single toilet and bathroom (ensuite).

• Sharing: 2 house officers per room.

• Rent: ₦10,000 per room (₦5,000 each).

• Kitchen: Each wing (4 rooms) shares a small kitchen.

• Tips:

  • Upstairs is better (less flooding, less wall mold).

  • Left-wing downstairs often has a flooded kitchen during rainy season.

  • Cold seasons bring wall molds in some downstairs rooms.

Outside Quarters (Opposite Lonkongoma Market)

• Setup: 2-bedroom flats (1 person per room, shared sitting room & kitchen).

• Furnishing: Bedframe & foam, basic kitchen setup.

• Eligibility: For male house officers only.

• Rent: ₦7,500 monthly.

• Utilities: Shared across the block.

• Transport to hospital:

  • Keke: ₦200 (drops at FMC junction, trek in).

  • Bike: ₦300 (drops at gate).

• Bonus: Has security/gateman.

Power Supply

Stable electricity in both quarters.

Roommates

• Allocation is done by management.

• Room requests may sometimes be honored.

Selection Process

• Via the portal or connection-based entry.

Salary & Allowances

• Monthly Salary: Same as other federal centres (₦267,000 at the time of review).

• No extra allowances were mentioned.

Orientation & Training

• General Orientation: On use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

• Surgery Department: Hands-on training for suturing, POP, wearing surgical gloves, etc.

• Other Skills: Learnt on the job.

• Support: ARD and MWAN also organize orientation for new house officers.

Main Responsibilities

• Doctors’ duties only:

  • Cannulation

  • Urethral catheterization

  • Ward rounds & documentation

  • Post-consultant ward mop-ups

• Drug Administration: Nurses handle routine drugs. HOs only give:

  • Hydralazine

  • Labetalol

  • Phenytoin

  • Caffeine citrate

  • Potassium correction

  • Chemotherapy drugs

Work Culture

• Centre and seniors: Not toxic.

• Nurses: Generally cooperative and respectful.

Lifestyle & Food Options

• Food:

  • Nurse’s canteen inside the hospital.

  • Vendors at the gate and around the hospital.

• Shops & Supermarkets: One directly opposite FMC gate.

• Hangouts: Restaurants and lounges nearby (close to Government House).

• Note: No parks or cinemas in the area.

Key Takeaway

FMC Lokoja is a solid federal housejob centre with:

• Affordable accommodation (with options)

• Stable electricity

• Structured orientation for EMR and surgical basics

• Calm work culture with cooperative nurses and seniors

• Steady federal government salary

It’s a good choice if you want a non-toxic learning environment with reasonable living costs and reliable infrastructure.