Lagos: The Federal Government has committed more than N217 billion within two years to strengthen medical education and healthcare training across the country. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at the inaugural International Conference of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (FBCS), College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this commitment was announced in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, Mr. Ikharo Attah. Attah quoted the minister saying that this investment is part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to build a stronger healthcare system through quality education, research, innovation, and human capital development. Dr. Alausa emphasized that sustainable healthcare development relies on deliberate investment in institutions training health professionals like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
Dr. Alausa highlighted the impact of advances in artificial intelligence, genomics, digital pathology, and precision medicine on global healthcare, stressing that these should be incorporated into Nigeria’s medical education system. The federal government invested more than N97 billion in 2025 through Special High Impact Projects to expand training capacity and an additional N120.5 billion was approved in 2026 for infrastructure upgrades, procurement of equipment, and improvement of learning environments in medical colleges.
The minister also announced the establishment of Medical Simulation and Technology Centres nationwide to provide modern simulation-based learning, enhancing practical competence and clinical readiness among students. He praised the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences for their work in precision medicine, cancer genomics, and other fields, describing it as pivotal for Nigeria’s future healthcare development.
Dr. Alausa commended the faculty for setting up a N1 billion Endowment Fund and urged alumni, development partners, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to support initiatives that promote excellence in medical education and research. He also highlighted the federal government’s approval of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which aims to provide sustainable financing for research, innovation, and commercialization of discoveries, promoting collaboration among universities, research institutes, government agencies, and the private sector.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, called the conference a major milestone reflecting the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness. She noted the faculty’s achievements, including hosting its inaugural international conference, unveiling its academic journal, and launching a N1 billion Endowment Fund. Prof. Ogunsola expressed confidence in the faculty’s potential to become a leading centre for biomedical research and scientific excellence in Africa.
The conference gathered scholars, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from within and outside Nigeria to discuss innovative approaches to diagnostics, therapeutics, and patient-centred healthcare.