FG Targets N1.5 Trillion Investment to Revamp Medical Education
₦110 Billion Allocated to 18 Public Universities in First Phase
The Federal Government has unveiled a strategic plan to attract ₦1.5 trillion in investments over the next five years to strengthen Nigeria’s medical education system. As part of this initiative, ₦110 billion has been earmarked for immediate intervention in 18 public universities offering medical and allied health programmes.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the plan on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee on TETFund’s High Impact Intervention Project, focused on the rehabilitation of medical schools across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The committee is chaired by Prof. Sulaiman Alabi.
Dr. Alausa said the government would commit over ₦110 billion in the first year to upgrade infrastructure and improve training capacity in medical schools. Of this amount, ₦70 billion will go into direct rehabilitation of teaching facilities, ₦15 billion into building new hostels, and additional funding will support the establishment of modern medical simulation laboratories in six selected institutions.
Each of the 18 beneficiary institutions is expected to receive approximately ₦4 billion, which includes ₦750 million for new hostel construction.
The benefiting universities include:
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University of Jos
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
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University of Benin
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University of Ibadan
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Imo State University
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University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
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Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina
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University of Calabar
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Benue State University
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University of Maiduguri
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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
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Gombe State University
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University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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Nnamdi Azikiwe University
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Bayelsa Medical University
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Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
“This intervention will enhance learning conditions through the provision of modern classrooms, laboratories, clinical facilities, and student hostels. It will also equip researchers with the tools necessary for advanced medical research tailored to Nigeria’s specific health challenges,” Dr. Alausa stated.
Echoing the minister’s position, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, emphasized that the initiative is part of broader efforts to address the national deficit in healthcare professionals by expanding the capacity of existing institutions.
He said: “This committee will ensure that the high-impact projects under TETFund are strategically implemented to drive national goals in medical education and health sector capacity-building.”
The move comes amid growing concerns over the mass emigration of Nigerian medical professionals, a trend the government hopes to curb by improving training and working conditions at home.
