Abuja: The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, has announced the introduction of a proposed foundation certificate in Applied Health, aimed at bridging manpower gaps in healthcare delivery across Africa. Bugaje made this announcement while opening a National Curriculum Critique and Validation Workshop for the programme in Abuja. The event was organized in collaboration with the Afe Babalola Centre at King’s College, London.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative is set to develop a one-year training programme that will strengthen the capacity of middle-level health workers. This programme is designed not only to create employment opportunities for young people but also to provide specialized training necessary for improving healthcare systems across the continent. Bugaje emphasized that the curriculum would facilitate academic progression, with graduates potentially advancing into the second year of relevant National Diploma programmes in
health technology and related fields.
“This curriculum we are developing will help Africa revive by providing better training for healthcare workers at the middle level who are essential to the delivery of quality healthcare services,” Bugaje stated. He expressed gratitude to King’s College London for their support and financial backing of the workshop. He added that the programme is expected to significantly enhance health education and healthcare outcomes across Africa.
Dr. Angel Jen, a director at the Afe Babalola Centre, also spoke at the event, highlighting the initiative as part of the centre’s efforts to expand access to quality education and employment for underserved youth in Africa. Jen noted that the centre aims to reach one million work-ready Africans by 2030 through accessible and affordable education supported by technology. She explained that the foundation certificate in applied health would bridge secondary and higher education, offering short courses in digital, communication, and leadersh
ip skills.
Dr. Oladipupo Bello, Director of Curriculum Development at NBTE, outlined that the proposed one-year programme, designed as a full-time online course, would provide an alternative pathway into National Diploma programmes in health technology institutions. Bello stressed that the curriculum development process aims to align with the existing structures of National Diploma programmes in Nigerian Colleges of Health Technology while adhering to international best practices. He further noted that the workshop would enable experts from academia, professional bodies, and industry to critically review the curriculum to ensure it equips middle-level manpower with practical skills and ethical orientation for the health sector.
Dr. Johnson Ojo, Chairman of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences, commended NBTE for initiating the programme. Ojo described the workshop as a strategic move toward expanding opportunities in health education for young Nigerians.