The Federal Government has announced plans to establish world-class medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to expand healthcare training and increase the number of students admitted into medical schools.
The initiative is expected to support the government’s plan to increase annual medical school admissions to about 20,000 within the next three years while improving practical training for medical and other healthcare professionals.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Medical Simulation Committee.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Office of the Minister of Education and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the proposed centres would provide practical training for students studying medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health professions.
Alausa said the government was committed to expanding training capacity to meet the growing number of students seeking admission into healthcare-related programmes.
“I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country to provide world-class training for our medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students and other allied healthcare professionals,” he said.
According to the minister, the centres would be located across the six geopolitical zones and form part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that enrolment into health-related programmes had increased significantly in recent years, creating a need for additional facilities capable of providing quality practical training.
Alausa disclosed that nursing enrolment had risen from about 38,000 students three years ago to more than 120,000 students across nursing schools nationwide.
He also said annual admissions into medical schools had increased from about 5,000 students when the Tinubu administration assumed office to almost 12,000 currently.
“Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students. Our goal in the next three years will be to increase the number of annual medical student enrolment in medical schools to about 20,000,” the minister said.
He added that admissions into pharmacy and dental schools had also increased.
The minister commended the Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, Dr Wale Suleiman, and other members for their work in preparing the report and advancing plans for the proposed centres.
He said the facilities would be particularly important as the government expands admissions into healthcare programmes, ensuring that students receive sufficient hands-on training alongside classroom instruction.
The plan comes amid continued concerns over the migration of Nigerian-trained doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking better remuneration, working conditions and career opportunities abroad.
The ongoing “Japa” trend has raised concerns among health-sector stakeholders over shortages of skilled personnel and the pressure placed on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Through the proposed simulation centres, the Federal Government hopes to increase training capacity while maintaining the quality of practical education available to students entering the healthcare professions.
Alausa described the initiative as part of the administration’s broader commitment to strengthening the education sector and developing the skilled workforce needed to support Nigeria’s future healthcare needs.
