The Federal Government has set a target of increasing annual admissions into medical schools to 20,000 within the next three years, as it plans to establish world-class medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to a statement on Sunday signed by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser ( Media and Communications), Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Medical Simulation Committee, describing the proposed centres as a major step towards improving practical training for students in medicine and other healthcare professions.
Alausa said the initiative was necessary to keep pace with the rapid increase in enrolment into healthcare-related programmes and ensure that students receive high-quality practical training.
He said the government was particularly focused on expanding access to training while maintaining standards across medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health professions.
“I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country to provide world-class training for our medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students and other allied healthcare professionals,” he said.
According to the minister, annual admission into medical schools has increased from about 5,000 students when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office to almost 12,000 currently.
He said the government planned to raise the figure to about 20,000 annual admissions within the next three years.
“Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students primarily now. Our goal in the next three years will increase the number of annual medical student enrollment in medical school to about 20,000,” Alausa said.
He added that enrolment in nursing had also recorded significant growth, rising from about 38,000 students three years ago to more than 120,000 students across nursing schools in the country.
The minister said admissions into pharmacy and dental programmes had also doubled, further increasing the number of healthcare professionals undergoing training.
Alausa said the expansion in enrolment made it imperative for the government to invest in infrastructure and practical training facilities capable of supporting the growing number of students without compromising the quality of healthcare education.
The proposed TETFund Medical Simulation Centres are expected to provide students with practical and simulated learning environments where they can develop clinical skills before treating patients in real-world settings.
The minister commended Wale Suleiman, Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, and other members for their work in developing the report and advancing plans for the centres.
He also acknowledged the contributions of professional and academic stakeholders, including representatives of the Medical and Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and academics from Nigerian universities.
Alausa said the initiative was aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and broader efforts to expand Nigeria’s healthcare workforce while improving the quality of professional education.
He said the administration was committed to ensuring that the expansion of admissions was matched by investments in training infrastructure.
“I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country,” he said.
The minister described the proposed centres as part of efforts to provide Nigerian students with access to modern training facilities and prepare them for the demands of the healthcare profession.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the development of the TETFund Medical Simulation Centres and expand opportunities for students seeking careers in healthcare.
According to him, strengthening practical training alongside increased admissions would help build the skilled workforce required to improve healthcare delivery and support Nigeria’s long-term development.
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