FG Invests ₦217bn In Medical Education, Healthcare Training To Strengthen Nigeria’s Health System
The Federal Government has invested over ₦217 billion in two years to strengthen medical education and healthcare training across Nigeria as part of efforts to build a resilient healthcare system anchored on quality education, research, innovation and human capital development.
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 a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, Dr. Alausa said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises that sustainable healthcare development depends on deliberate investment 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,” the minister noted that advancements in artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology and precision medicine are transforming healthcare globally and must be reflected in Nigeria’s medical education system.
He revealed that the Federal Government invested more than ₦97 billion in medical education interventions in 2025 through Special High Impact Projects aimed at expanding training capacity. He added that an additional ₦120.5 billion was approved in 2026 to support medical colleges through infrastructure upgrades, equipment procurement, expansion of teaching facilities and improvement of learning environments.
Dr. Alausa also announced the establishment of Medical Simulation and Technology Centres across the country to provide students with modern simulation based training that meets international standards and enhances clinical competence and readiness.
The minister described the work of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences in precision medicine, cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, digital pathology, clinical research and biobanking as critical to Nigeria’s future in healthcare innovation and biomedical advancement.
He commended the Faculty for establishing a ₦1 billion Endowment Fund and called on alumni, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support initiatives aimed at promoting excellence in medical education and research.
Dr. Alausa further highlighted the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), designed to boost Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.
According to him, the fund will provide sustainable financing for research activities, innovation and the commercialisation of discoveries across universities, research institutes and industries.
He explained that the initiative would address longstanding fragmentation within Nigeria’s research ecosystem by fostering stronger collaboration among academia, government institutions and the private sector.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the conference as a major milestone reflecting 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.
Prof. Ogunsola highlighted the Faculty’s achievements within a short period, including hosting its inaugural international conference, unveiling its academic journal and launching the ₦1 billion Endowment Fund.
She expressed confidence that the Faculty would emerge as one of Africa’s leading centres for biomedical research and scientific excellence.
The conference attracted scholars, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and development partners from within and outside Nigeria to explore innovative approaches to diagnostics, therapeutics and patient centred healthcare.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining investments that strengthen healthcare training, advance scientific discovery and position Nigeria as a leading hub for medical education and innovation in Africa.
