FG strengthens medical education, healthcare training with N217bn investments
By Uji A Iliyasu Abuja
The Federal Government has committed over ₦217bn within the last two years to strengthen medical education and healthcare training institutions across the country as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and build a resilient health sector.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the inaugural international conference of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Alausa said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers investment in medical education critical to producing the skilled workforce required for sustainable healthcare development.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient-Centered Care,” the minister noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology and precision medicine are transforming healthcare globally and should be integrated into Nigeria’s medical education system.
He ssid the Federal Government invested more than ₦97bn in medical education interventions in 2025 through Special High Impact Projects designed to expand training capacity in medical schools.
He added that an additional ₦120.5bn was approved in 2026 for infrastructure upgrades, procurement of equipment, expansion of teaching facilities and improvement of learning environments in medical colleges.
The minister also announced plans to establish Medical Simulation and Technology Centres across the country to provide students with modern simulation-based training that meets international standards and enhances clinical competence.
Alausa described ongoing research efforts by the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences in areas such as precision medicine, cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, digital pathology, clinical research and biobanking as vital to Nigeria’s future healthcare innovation and biomedical advancement.
He commended the faculty for launching One billion naira Endowment Fund and urged alumni, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support initiatives aimed at advancing medical education and research.
The minister further highlighted the Federal Government’s approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which he said would provide sustainable financing for research, innovation and commercialisation of discoveries in universities, research institutes and industries.
He said the fund is expected to address fragmentation within the nation’s research ecosystem by promoting stronger collaboration among academia, government institutions and the private sector.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the conference as a landmark achievement reflecting the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and global competitiveness.
She noted that the faculty had recorded significant milestones, including hosting its inaugural international conference, unveiling an academic journal and launching the One Billion Naira Endowment Fund, expressing confidence that it would become one of Africa’s leading centres for biomedical research and scientific excellence.