FG Targets 20,000 Medical Admissions, Plans Simulation Centres

The Federal Government of Nigeria is targeting an increase in annual admissions to medical schools to 20,000 over the next three years. This initiative, announced by Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, follows the report from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Medical Simulation Committee.

The plan includes establishing medical simulation centres in all six geo-political zones to provide practical training for students in various healthcare professions, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. The urgency for expanded practical training infrastructure arises from a significant increase in nursing enrolment, which has surged from approximately 38,000 to over 120,000 students in three years.

The initiative is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the expansion of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. The committee, chaired by Dr. Wale Suleiman, involved key professional and academic bodies.

The Federal Government has invested over N1 trillion in tertiary education over two years, focusing on specialized healthcare education and infrastructure improvements.