As part of efforts to modernize medical education and boost healthcare delivery nationwide, the Federal Government has announced plans to establish eight state-of-the-art medical simulation centres across Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday inaugurated a 19-member Implementation and Monitoring Committee, chaired by renowned neurosurgeon, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, to oversee the initiative.
Alausa said the centres will serve as high-tech training hubs, offering medical students and healthcare professionals a safe, immersive environment to refine their clinical skills using virtual patients, telemedicine platforms, and advanced simulation technology.
According to him, the aim of the centres is to improve patient safety, reduce medical errors, and increase the number of competent health workers nationwide.
The minister revealed that an earlier ad-hoc committee found simulation-based training tools are virtually absent in Nigerian medical schools, with institutions still relying on outdated methods.
He said the new centres are designed to close that gap and align Nigeria’s medical education system with global best practices.
“The terms of reference for this committee are clear. Your job is to finalize the proposal, provide implementation oversight, ensure alignment with project goals, and develop robust quality assurance systems,” he said.
The committee’s nine-point mandate includes working with selected institutions to set up the centres, ensuring compliance with global standards, monitoring execution, and designing performance metrics.
It is also empowered to engage external consultants and technical experts to support the initiative.
Alausa stressed the importance of financial sustainability and alignment between medical schools and teaching hospitals, urging the committee to “think 360 degrees” and ensure the centres are self-sustaining in the long run.
“We’re starting with eight simulation centres now, but the plan is to scale up. With more funding expected next year, we aim to expand this model to all medical schools and teaching hospitals across the country,” he said.
Alausa affirmed that the simulation centres are a key part of the government’s broader vision to position Nigeria as a hub of medical excellence in Africa.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, described medical simulation as a cornerstone of 21st-century medical education.
Echono noted that universities in developed countries use such centres not only for training but also for research and innovation.
“Our universities will benefit immensely. These centres will become hubs for developing and testing medical devices and protocols, transforming institutions into living laboratories for healthcare advancement,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman TETFund Board of Trustees, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, citing the caliber of professionals selected.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Sulaiman assured stakeholders of the committee’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and timely execution.
“This initiative is critical to the future of medical education and healthcare in Nigeria. We are ready to work diligently to ensure its success,” he said.
