Alausa Targets 2026 Take Off For Armed Forces Medical College, Inaugurates Technical Working Group

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to fast track the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with plans for the institution to admit its first set of military medical cadets during the 2026 academic session.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, inaugurated the committee in Abuja, describing the proposed college as a strategic investment in national security and healthcare aimed at producing doctors, nurses and other specialised health professionals for the Armed Forces.

He said the institution would end the military’s long standing dependence on civilian universities for training medical personnel by creating a sustainable pipeline of professionals equipped to meet the unique healthcare demands of military service.

According to the minister, 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.

“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,” Alausa said.

He noted that the initiative complements the Federal Government’s ongoing expansion of medical education, revealing that annual admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased from about 5,000 before the current administration to 10,405 students, with a target of raising admissions to at least 20,000 within the next two years through the accreditation of more colleges of medicine.

Alausa also disclosed that annual enrolment into nursing programmes has risen from about 28,000 to nearly 120,000 nationwide, surpassing the government’s target. He commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for maintaining standards that have earned Nigerian nurses global recognition.

Despite the increase in medical training nationwide, the minister said the Armed Forces require a dedicated institution offering programmes tailored to military healthcare needs. He urged the Technical Working Group to prioritise specialised disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Speech Therapy and other rehabilitation programmes for personnel recovering from combat related injuries.

“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.

Alausa said the Technical Working Group comprises representatives of 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 relevant institutions.

He said the committee would develop the academic curriculum, integrate military and academic training, coordinate accreditation, facilitate the appointment of key academic personnel and work with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure the college begins academic activities in the 2026 session.

The minister also disclosed that he had engaged the Registrar of JAMB to facilitate the inclusion of the institution on the admissions portal, while directing the National Universities Commission to fast track resource verification and accreditation to enable the admission of the pioneer cadets in 2026.

Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Director General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Brigadier General Dr. Idris Babatunde Solebo, said the proposed college is modelled after the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in the United States, where medical cadets receive integrated academic and military training from admission through graduation.

According to him, graduates will acquire specialised competencies in battlefield medicine, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and other military medical skills.

Solebo disclosed that the college will be located within the vicinity of the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Lagos, leveraging existing infrastructure for a speedy take off.

He noted that the Armed Forces currently face shortages of medical personnel, making the establishment of the institution critical to strengthening military healthcare and ensuring a sustainable supply of qualified professionals.

Alausa expressed appreciation to the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence for supporting the initiative and expressed confidence that the Technical Working Group would deliver on its mandate in time for the college to commence admissions in the 2026 academic session.