The Federal Government has revealed that it spent N220 billion on medical education and training over the last two years as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and improve the quality of medical training nationwide.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the maiden convocation ceremony of Miva Open University held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos.
He also announced plans to commit an additional N121 billion in 2026 to further expand medical education facilities and training capacity across the country.
According to the minister, the investments are aimed at addressing shortages of healthcare professionals and supporting ongoing reforms in the education sector under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Alausa explained that the funds have been used to upgrade infrastructure in medical schools, construct modern medical simulation laboratories, and renovate student hostels and other learning facilities.
He described the intervention as one of the most significant investments ever made in Nigeria’s medical education sector.
The minister stated that 18 medical schools received a total of N72 billion for infrastructure development, with each institution allocated N4 billion. In addition, each school was provided with N1.5 billion to improve hostel accommodation for students.
He further disclosed that the government invested N40 billion in the construction of eight advanced medical simulation laboratories located across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
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Looking ahead, Alausa said the government would continue the expansion programme in 2026. The proposed spending includes support for six additional medical schools, hostel construction, infrastructure expansion and the provision of equipment for 21 medical institutions nationwide.
He noted that the overall objective is to produce more doctors, pharmacists, nurses and dentists while strengthening the country’s healthcare system through improved education and training.
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to invest N250 billion in student accommodation across tertiary institutions. Under the initiative, 90 institutions will receive funding to build 500-bed hostels, while others will benefit from public-private partnership arrangements to develop larger accommodation facilities.
According to him, the programme is designed to tackle the longstanding shortage of student housing in higher institutions.
Alausa further revealed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed about N300 billion within two years, enabling more than 1.7 million students to access higher education.
He added that the government has launched a Student Venture Capital Grant Initiative, which will provide successful applicants with equity-free grants of up to N50 million to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and business development.
Addressing the graduating students, the minister urged them to embrace creativity, innovation and leadership, encouraging them to take an active role in shaping Nigeria’s future rather than waiting for opportunities to come their way.
