By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Federal Government has commenced the process of establishing the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with the institution expected to admit its first set of students in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
To accelerate the project, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Friday inaugurated a special implementation committee in Abuja to oversee the establishment of the proposed medical college.
Committee to Drive Establishment of Military Medical College
Speaking during the inauguration, Alausa described the project as a strategic investment in national security and the welfare of members of the Armed Forces.
According to him, the college will train doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals specifically for military service, reducing the Armed Forces’ dependence on civilian institutions for medical personnel.
He said the institution is expected to provide specialised training tailored to the unique physical and mental healthcare needs of military personnel.
“We cannot continue to leave the brave people who defend our nation without a reliable system for training their healthcare providers,” the minister said.
Alausa added that the military should not have to compete with civilian hospitals for the limited pool of doctors and other healthcare professionals available in the country.
He explained that the proposed curriculum would emphasise military medicine, rehabilitation, emergency response and trauma care to ensure graduates are equipped to support the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at strengthening the military’s healthcare system and improving its capacity to provide specialised medical services for personnel.
Military Seeks to Address Shortage of Medical Personnel
The implementation committee is chaired by Major General Idris Babatunde Solebo.
Speaking at the event, Solebo said the Armed Forces currently face a significant shortage of medical personnel, making the establishment of the college an important step towards strengthening military healthcare.
He explained that the institution is modelled after the Uniformed Services University in the United States and will combine conventional medical education with military training.
According to him, graduates will receive specialised training in areas such as battlefield medicine, emergency trauma care and other aspects of military healthcare.
Kaduna Hospital to Host Take-Off
To facilitate an early commencement of academic activities, the proposed college will initially operate from the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
The committee noted that the hospital already possesses the infrastructure and facilities required to support the take-off of the institution while work continues on its long-term development.
The establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to expand medical education, strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and improve access to specialised healthcare services for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Share this
