BY AISHA MUHAMMAD MAGAJI
The Nigerian federal government has launched a significant N110 billion intervention fund aimed at upgrading the infrastructure of key medical schools across the country. This initiative, part of a broader strategy to curb the exodus of healthcare professionals, is expected to improve training and opportunities for future medical personnel both locally and globally.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the inauguration of the ministerial monitoring committee on TETFUND high-impact intervention projects in Abuja. The minister revealed that N70 billion will be dedicated to rehabilitating medical schools across Nigeria to meet international standards. Additionally, N15 billion will be allocated for the construction of new student hostels to improve the living conditions of medical students.
Alausa further explained that 76 institutions will benefit from the development of advanced medical simulation centres, providing students with cutting-edge training technology. As part of the broader strategy, Nigerian universities will also be instructed to increase their medical admission quotas to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals in both local and international markets.
The intervention fund aims to address the longstanding concerns regarding the neglect of Nigeria’s medical colleges, a key factor contributing to the brain drain of healthcare professionals. President Bola Tinubu has also mandated that universities expand their medical student intake, with the goal of training more medical personnel to meet both national and global needs.
Alausa assured that the fund will be sustained over the next five years, ensuring that improvements in medical education and infrastructure are long-term.
Earlier in the event, Aminu Bello Masari, Chairman of the Board of TETFund and former governor of Katsina State, pointed to Vice Chancellors as part of the challenge, acknowledging their role in the decay of the university system. However, he expressed optimism that if the intervention is maintained over the next five years, the positive effects will be evident, with more medical personnel ready to serve both local and international communities.
