By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Federal Government has announced plans to expand medical education in Nigeria by increasing annual admissions into medical schools to 20,000 within the next three years.
The government also plans to establish six medical simulation centres across the country’s geopolitical zones to improve practical training for students studying medicine and other health-related disciplines.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the plans while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Medical Simulation Committee.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Minister of Education and signed by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
Alausa said the proposed simulation centres would provide practical training for students of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health professions.
“I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country to provide world-class training for our medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students and other allied healthcare professionals,” he said.
Medical admissions rise
The minister said the planned expansion had become necessary because of the increasing number of students seeking admission into health-related programmes.
According to him, the number of nursing students enrolled in institutions across the country has increased significantly in the past three years.
He disclosed that nursing enrolment had risen from about 38,000 three years ago to more than 120,000 students.
Medical school admissions have also increased, with Alausa putting the current annual figure at almost 12,000, compared with about 5,000 when President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
“Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students. Our goal in the next three years will be to increase the number of annual medical student enrolment in medical schools to about 20,000,” the minister said.
He added that admissions into pharmacy and dental programmes had also recorded increases.
Six centres to strengthen practical training
Alausa said the proposed simulation centres would be located across the six geopolitical zones and would support the training of the growing number of students entering Nigeria’s healthcare professions.
He commended the Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, Dr Wale Suleiman, and other members of the committee for their work in developing the proposal.
The minister said expanding admissions must be accompanied by adequate facilities and practical training to ensure that students acquire the skills required to function effectively as healthcare professionals.
The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with the migration of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking better pay, working conditions and career opportunities overseas.
The trend, popularly referred to as “Japa”, has generated concerns about shortages of skilled healthcare workers and the pressure placed on the country’s public health system.
The government is therefore seeking to increase the number of trained healthcare professionals while strengthening the quality of their practical education.
‘President Bola is committed’
Alausa linked the initiative to the Tinubu administration’s broader education and workforce development agenda.
He said the government was committed to improving the quality of education available to Nigerians and preparing young people for the country’s future needs.
“President Bola is committed to providing the best and the highest quality of education to every child in this country,” he said.
“We are seeing it, we are seeing the result now. It’s another manifestation of President Bola’s fervent and benevolent belief in the progress and benefit of the future of Nigeria.”
The minister said the planned investment in medical simulation facilities would help address the practical training needs created by the rising number of students admitted into health professional programmes.
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