By Felix Khanoba
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has welcomed the listing of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS) on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal for the 2026/2027 academic session, paving the way for the admission of its pioneer cohort of 100 cadets.
Alausa described the development as a significant milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education, healthcare and national security.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, said the college was established to strengthen military healthcare delivery, develop specialised medical personnel and contribute to national security.
The college is designed to integrate medical training with military officer development, equipping cadets with clinical expertise, professional ethics and leadership skills to meet the healthcare needs of the Armed Forces.
Located within the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, AFCOM-HS has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Nursing Science (B.NSc.).
The institution is preparing to admit its first 100 cadets, marking a new phase in the development of specialised medical education within Nigeria’s military establishment.
According to the statement, AFCOM-HS is the first institution of its kind in Nigeria and among the few medical schools on the African continent established from inception to train military cadets in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing and other related medical disciplines.
The initiative is also expected to advance the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the education sector through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
Alausa noted that the college would help address critical manpower needs by training doctors, nurses and other health professionals equipped to provide specialised medical services to military personnel.
The minister commended the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Chris Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for their contributions to the establishment of the institution.
He also acknowledged the Armed Forces leadership, the Technical Working Group chaired by Brig. Gen. Dr Idris Babatunde Solebo, the NUC, JAMB and relevant professional regulatory authorities for their roles in advancing the project.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to academic oversight, quality assurance and collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure that the college meets the required educational standards.
Prospective applicants have been advised to consult official AFCOM-HS and JAMB channels for information on eligibility, application procedures, military selection requirements and admission dates.
