By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has committed more than N217 billion over the last two years to improve medical education and healthcare training institutions across the country, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system through quality education, research and innovation.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the inaugural International Conference of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (FBCS), College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu views investment in institutions that train healthcare professionals as critical to achieving sustainable improvements in the health sector.
Addressing participants at the conference themed, “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient-Centered Care,” Alausa said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology and precision medicine are transforming healthcare delivery worldwide and should be integrated into Nigeria’s medical education framework.
He revealed that the Federal Government allocated over N97 billion in 2025 under Special High Impact Projects targeted at increasing the capacity of medical training institutions. He added that a further N120.5 billion was approved in 2026 to support medical colleges through infrastructure development, acquisition of modern equipment, expansion of teaching facilities and enhancement of learning environments.
As part of efforts to align medical training with global standards, the minister announced plans to establish Medical Simulation and Technology Centres across the country. The centres are expected to provide students with advanced simulation-based learning opportunities aimed at improving clinical competence and practical readiness.
Alausa described ongoing work by the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences in areas such as precision medicine, cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, digital pathology, clinical research and biobanking as vital to Nigeria’s ambitions in healthcare innovation and biomedical development.
He also praised the faculty for launching a N1 billion Endowment Fund and urged alumni, corporate bodies, development partners and philanthropists to contribute towards initiatives that advance medical education and scientific research.
The minister further highlighted the Federal Government’s approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), designed to provide long-term funding for research, innovation and the commercialization of discoveries within universities, research institutions and industries.
According to him, the initiative is expected to address gaps within Nigeria’s research ecosystem by encouraging stronger collaboration among academia, government agencies and private-sector stakeholders.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the conference as a significant achievement that underscores the institution’s dedication to academic excellence, innovation and international relevance.
She noted that the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences was established to strengthen biomedical research, diagnostic medicine and healthcare innovation, adding that it has already recorded notable achievements despite its relatively short existence.
Among these accomplishments, she listed the hosting of its first international conference, the unveiling of its academic journal and the launch of the N1 billion Endowment Fund. Ogunsola expressed optimism that the faculty would develop into one of Africa’s foremost centres for biomedical research and scientific advancement.
The conference brought together academics, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and development partners from Nigeria and abroad to examine new strategies for improving diagnostics, therapeutics and patient-centred healthcare delivery.
