Alausa urges varsities to focus on critical health fields, reaffirms plan to establish autism centres in all geopolitical zones
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to prioritise degree programmes that fill critical manpower gaps, respond to emerging societal needs and give graduates specialised skills for professional practice and employment.
He specifically called on universities to establish programmes in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Medical Social Work.
Expanding training in these areas, he said, would close gaps in specialised healthcare and social services while opening up new career opportunities for young Nigerians.
Dr Alausa stressed that universities must align their academic offerings with national workforce needs and the growing demand for specialised professional services.
Developing these programmes, he said, would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to provide essential services at home, reduce gaps in specialist care and build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the population.
The Minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing Autism Centres in the country’s six geopolitical zones. The centres are expected to support diagnosis, therapeutic services and research, and to serve as regional hubs for families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.
The initiative, he said, reflects the government’s determination to strengthen local capacity and improve support for persons with autism and related developmental conditions.
Dr Alausa commended Dr Victoria Amu, Chairman of the Federal Government Committee for the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, for her passion and dedication to duty. He urged Vice-Chancellors and other university administrators to work closely with her, the relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies to develop the proposed programmes and ensure that training meets appropriate academic and professional standards.
The Minister assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would keep pursuing reforms that expand access to relevant education, strengthen institutional capacity and promote skills development, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a responsive and inclusive higher education system that equips Nigerians with relevant skills, addresses critical manpower gaps and widens access to essential specialised services.