FG plans new college to train military healthcare professionals
The Federal Government has announced plans to train doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals exclusively for the Nigerian Armed Forces. Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, revealed that the first batch of military medical cadets is expected to be admitted in the 2026 academic session. The new Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences aims to reduce the military’s reliance on civilian universities for medical training. The initiative is part of broader reforms to expand medical education and address healthcare shortages in Nigeria.
What we know
- Olatunji Alausa inaugurated a Technical Working Group to fast-track the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
- The college will focus on producing healthcare professionals equipped for military service, with the first admissions planned for the 2026 academic session.
- Annual admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased to 10,405 students, with a target of at least 20,000 within the next two years.
- The college will be located at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, and will integrate academic and military training for medical cadets.
- The Armed Forces currently face a 93 per cent deficit in medical personnel, making the new institution critical for sustainable staffing.
