By Felix Khanoba
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, says the Federal Government has begun the implementation of plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Alausa, who made this known while inaugurating a Technical Working Group in Abuja on Friday, said the first set of military medical cadets are expected to commence studies in the 2026 academic session as part of efforts to address a critical shortage of healthcare personnel in the Armed Forces.
The minister described the proposed institution as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening national security through the training of military-specific healthcare professionals.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, Ikharo Attah, on Friday, said the initiative comes amid concerns over the Armed Forces’ heavy reliance on civilian universities for the training of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, a situation government says has contributed to persistent manpower shortages.
The statement said the Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Director-General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Major General Idris Babatunde Solebo, revealed that the Armed Forces currently face an estimated 93 per cent deficit in medical personnel.
He said the proposed college, to be located at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, would adopt the model of the Uniformed Services University in the United States, combining academic education with military training from admission through graduation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Alausa said the Federal Government was determined to provide the Armed Forces with a dedicated institution capable of producing healthcare professionals equipped to meet the unique demands of military service.
“We cannot continue to leave the brave men and women who defend our nation without a sustainable system for training the healthcare professionals they require. Neither can we continue to expect the Armed Forces to compete with the rest of the country for the limited number of doctors graduating from our universities,” the minister said.
The minister explained that the inauguration of the Technical Working Group marks the transition from policy approval to implementation following the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of the college.
He noted that the initiative complements ongoing reforms in medical education, revealing that annual admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased from about 5,000 before the current administration to 10,405, with a target of at least 20,000 admissions within the next two years through the accreditation of additional colleges of medicine.
Alausa also disclosed that nursing enrolment has risen from about 28,000 students to nearly 120,000 nationwide, exceeding the administration’s target, while commending the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for maintaining standards that have earned Nigerian nurses international recognition.
Despite the expansion in medical education, the minister stressed that the Armed Forces require a specialised institution designed to meet military operational realities.
“This institution is not being established to compete with conventional universities. It is being established to make the Armed Forces self sufficient in producing the healthcare professionals they require. Every programme should answer one simple question. Does the Armed Forces need it? If the answer is yes, then it should be prioritised,” he said.
He urged the Technical Working Group to prioritise programmes such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and other specialised disciplines needed for the treatment and rehabilitation of personnel recovering from combat-related injuries.
Alausa said the committee comprises representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defence, the National Universities Commission, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Defence Academy and other key institutions.
According to him, the group will develop the academic curriculum, integrate military and academic training, coordinate accreditation processes, facilitate the appointment of academic personnel and collaborate with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to ensure the successful commencement of academic activities in the 2026 academic session.
The minister further disclosed that discussions had already been held with the Registrar of JAMB to facilitate the inclusion of the proposed college on the admissions portal, while the National Universities Commission had been directed to fast-track resource verification and accreditation to enable the admission of the pioneer military medical cadets next year.
Providing an update on preparations, Solebo said the existing infrastructure at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, would provide a solid foundation for the immediate take-off of the institution.
The minister also appreciated the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence for supporting the initiative, expressing confidence that the Technical Working Group would deliver on its mandate and ensure the successful admission of the first set of military medical cadets during the 2026 academic session.
