Nigeria's Education Minister Urges Universities to Focus on Healthcare Degrees

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on vice-chancellors of universities to prioritize degree programs that address critical manpower shortages and equip graduates with specialized skills for professional practice. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted the importance of programs in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology, and Medical Social Work.

He noted that expanding training in these areas would help bridge gaps in specialized healthcare and social services while creating career opportunities for young Nigerians. Alausa reaffirmed the government's commitment to establishing autism centers across the six geopolitical zones to enhance access to specialized care for individuals on the autism spectrum.

He urged universities to align their offerings with national workforce needs and collaborate with Dr. Victoria Amu, the Chairman of the Federal Government Committee for the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, to develop these programs. The initiative aims to strengthen local capacity and improve support for persons with autism and related conditions.