Nigeria to Establish Armed Forces Medical College by 2026

The Nigerian government is advancing plans to establish the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMCM) to strengthen military healthcare services, as stated by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education. This initiative aims to address the manpower shortage within the armed forces and expand Nigeria's overall medical training capacity.

The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting attended by key stakeholders, including retired General Christoph Musa, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad. The college will align with the federal government's reform agenda, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Nigeria currently faces a deficit of 340,000 doctors amid a population of 240 million. The Ministry plans to double annual medical school admissions from 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with a projected increase to 19,000 annually in the coming years.

The new college will be located in Lagos State and will operate within the existing framework of the Nigerian Defence Academy, with admissions set to begin in October-November 2026.