The Federal Government has invested more than ₦217 billion in medical education and healthcare training over the past two years as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system through quality education, research, innovation and human capital development.
According to Ikharo Attah, the Special Adviser ( Media & Communications) in a Statement, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the inaugural international conference of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (FBCS), College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
According to the minister, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises that sustainable healthcare development depends on strategic investments in institutions responsible for training doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists and other healthcare professionals.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Precision in Practice: Integrating Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Clinical Insights for Patient-Centered Care,” Alausa said rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology and precision medicine are transforming healthcare globally and should be integrated into Nigeria’s medical education framework.
He revealed that the Federal Government spent over ₦97 billion on medical education interventions in 2025 through Special High Impact Projects designed to expand training capacity across medical institutions. He added that a further ₦120.5 billion was approved in 2026 to support medical colleges through infrastructure development, procurement of equipment, expansion of teaching facilities and improvement of learning environments.
The minister also announced plans to establish Medical Simulation and Technology Centres across the country to provide students with modern simulation-based training aimed at enhancing practical competence and clinical readiness in line with international standards.
Alausa described the Faculty’s work in precision medicine, cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, digital pathology, clinical research and biobanking as critical to Nigeria’s future healthcare innovation and biomedical advancement.
He commended the Faculty for launching a ₦1 billion Endowment Fund and called on alumni, corporate organisations, development partners and philanthropists to support initiatives that promote excellence in medical education and scientific research.
The minister further highlighted the Federal Government’s approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which he said would provide sustainable financing for research, innovation and the commercialisation of discoveries across universities, research institutes and industries.
According to him, the fund is expected to address longstanding challenges within Nigeria’s research ecosystem by fostering collaboration among academia, government institutions and the private sector.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the conference as a landmark event that underscores the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and global competitiveness.
She noted that the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences was established to deepen biomedical research, diagnostic medicine and healthcare innovation, adding that it had recorded significant achievements within a short period.
Among these achievements, she said, are the hosting of its inaugural international conference, the unveiling of its academic journal and the launch of the ₦1 billion Endowment Fund.
Ogunsola expressed confidence that the Faculty would evolve into one of Africa’s leading centres for biomedical research and scientific excellence.
The conference brought together scholars, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and development partners from Nigeria and abroad to discuss innovative approaches to diagnostics, therapeutics and patient-centred healthcare.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustained investment in healthcare training, scientific research and innovation to position Nigeria as a leading hub for medical education and healthcare advancement in Africa.
