FG unveils plan to produce military doctors, nurses

The Nigerian Federal Government is set to launch a specialized institution for training medical professionals exclusively for the Armed Forces, with the first cohort of military medical cadets expected to enroll in the 2026 academic session. The establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences was announced by the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, during the inauguration of a Technical Working Group tasked with accelerating the college's setup. This move signifies a strategic shift to ensure the military has a self-sufficient pipeline of healthcare providers equipped for the unique demands of service.

Minister Alausa described the initiative as a critical investment in national security and human capital development. He emphasized that the current dependence on civilian universities for medical training is unsustainable and places the Armed Forces in direct competition for limited resources. The new college will focus on producing healthcare professionals adept at supporting soldiers both in combat zones and during peacetime operations. This specialized training is intended to equip personnel with the skills necessary to address the health challenges inherent in military environments.

“

We cannot continue to leave the brave men and women who defend our nation without a sustainable system for training the healthcare professionals they require. Neither can we continue to expect the Armed Forces to compete with the rest of the country for the limited number of doctors graduating from our universities.

The establishment of the college complements the government's wider agenda to expand medical education across Nigeria. The Minister highlighted a substantial increase in annual admissions for Medicine and Dentistry, which has risen from approximately 5,000 before the current administration to over 10,405 students, with a target of 20,000 within two years. Similarly, nursing program admissions have surged from around 28,000 to nearly 120,000 nationwide, exceeding the administration's goals. Alausa also commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for upholding standards that have led to global recognition for Nigerian nurses.

While acknowledging the advancements in civilian medical education, Alausa reiterated that the military's healthcare needs necessitate a distinct approach. The Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences is not intended to compete with existing universities but rather to foster self-sufficiency within the military for its healthcare personnel requirements. This strategic development aims to bolster the operational readiness and well-being of the nation's defense forces by ensuring a dedicated and specialized medical support system.

“

This institution is not being established to compete with conventional universities. It is being established to make the Armed Forces self-sufficient in producing the healthcare professionals they require.