The Federal Government has unveiled a N110 billion intervention fund to revitalize infrastructure in key medical schools across Nigeria. This move is strategic and aims to address the persistent exodus of healthcare professionals.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on TETFund High Impact Intervention Projects, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the initiative will prioritize the rehabilitation and modernization of medical institutions.
According to the Minister, N70 billion from the fund will be directed toward upgrading medical schools to meet international standards, while N15 billion has been earmarked for the construction of new student hostels.
Alausa also disclosed that 76 institutions will benefit from establishing advanced medical simulation centres. He added that universities will now be required to increase their medical student admission quotas as part of broader efforts to train more healthcare workers to meet both domestic and international demand.
“The goal is to not only improve infrastructure but to significantly boost the capacity of our medical schools to produce well-trained professionals,” the Minister said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a clear directive to expand medical education to curb the brain drain in the health sector.”
The move comes amid growing concern over the deteriorating state of medical colleges nationwide—a situation widely linked to the increasing number of Nigerian healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the intervention will span a five-year period, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of TETFund and former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, criticized some Vice Chancellors for contributing to the decline in the quality of university education. He expressed optimism that the continuous implementation of this intervention would yield visible improvements.
“If this initiative is consistently executed over the next five years, we will see more competent medical personnel serving local communities and a better-prepared workforce for global opportunities,” Masari said.
The intervention is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen the health education sector and position Nigeria as a hub for quality medical training and services.
