By Felix Khanoba
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities to introduce specialised degree programmes in high-demand fields, including audiology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology and medical social work, to address critical manpower shortages.
Alausa said expanding academic training in the fields would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deliver specialised healthcare and social services while creating more employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing autism centres across the country’s six geopolitical zones to improve access to specialised care and support for persons on the autism spectrum and their families.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister stressed the need for universities to align their academic programmes with national workforce requirements and the growing demand for specialised professional services.
He noted that developing the proposed courses would help bridge gaps in specialist care, strengthen local expertise and reduce the need to rely on external capacity to meet Nigeria’s healthcare and social service needs.
The planned autism centres are expected to provide access to diagnostic and therapeutic services, promote research and serve as regional hubs connecting families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions.
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve support for persons with autism and related developmental conditions through stronger institutional capacity and better access to specialised services.
Alausa assured stakeholders that the government would continue to implement reforms aimed at expanding access to relevant education, strengthening institutions and promoting skills development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister also commended the chairman of the Federal Government committee on the advancement of audiology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, Dr Victoria Amu, for her commitment and dedication to the assignment.
He urged vice-chancellors and other university administrators to collaborate with Amu, relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies to facilitate the introduction of the proposed programmes.
According to him, such collaboration would help ensure that the courses meet the required academic and professional standards and produce graduates equipped to address the country’s specialised manpower needs.
Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to building a responsive and inclusive higher education system that equips Nigerians with relevant skills, addresses critical workforce shortages and expands access to essential specialised services.
The proposed programmes and autism centres form part of broader efforts to strengthen human capital development, improve service delivery and ensure that Nigeria’s education system responds effectively to national priorities.
