The Federal Government has committed more than N217 billion over the past two years to strengthen medical education and healthcare training institutions across the country, as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and address workforce shortages in the sector.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at the inaugural International Conference of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, where he outlined the Tinubu administration’s investments in medical training, research and innovation.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, the government invested over N97 billion in medical education interventions in 2025 through Special High Impact Projects and approved an additional N120.5 billion in 2026 to further expand the capacity of medical colleges nationwide.
Alausa said the investments were targeted at upgrading infrastructure, procuring modern equipment, expanding teaching facilities and improving learning environments for students in medical and allied health disciplines.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognises that sustainable healthcare development depends on deliberate investments in institutions responsible for training doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists and other healthcare professionals.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient-Centered Care,” the minister said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology and precision medicine are transforming healthcare globally and must be integrated into Nigeria’s medical education system.
To further enhance practical training, Alausa announced plans for the establishment of Medical Simulation and Technology Centres across the country. The centres, he said, would provide students with simulation-based learning opportunities that meet international standards and improve clinical competence.
The minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, NRIDF, which is designed to provide sustainable financing for research, innovation and the commercialisation of discoveries across universities, research institutes and industries.
According to him, the fund will help address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s research ecosystem by fostering stronger collaboration among academia, government agencies and the private sector.
Alausa commended the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences for its contributions to precision medicine, cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, digital pathology, clinical research and biobanking, describing the initiatives as critical to Nigeria’s future in healthcare innovation and biomedical advancement.
He also praised the faculty for launching a N1 billion Endowment Fund and urged alumni, corporate organisations, development partners and philanthropists to support programmes that promote excellence in medical education and research.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the conference as a landmark event that reflects the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and global competitiveness.
Ogunsola said the faculty was established to deepen biomedical research, diagnostic medicine and healthcare innovation, adding that its achievements, including the launch of an academic journal and the establishment of a N1 billion Endowment Fund, position it to become one of Africa’s leading centres for biomedical research.
The conference attracted scholars, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and development partners from within and outside Nigeria to explore innovative approaches to diagnostics, therapeutics and patient-centred healthcare.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining investments that strengthen healthcare training, promote scientific discovery and position Nigeria as a leading hub for medical education and innovation in Africa.
