The Federal Government has commenced fresh steps toward setting up the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) to boost the capacity of military healthcare services and address pressing personnel shortages across the Armed Forces.
The resolution followed a strategic meeting chaired by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmed.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, along with top-ranking officials from the education, defence, and health ministries.
Details of the development were contained in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
The statement explained that the proposed institution would operate under the structure of the Nigerian Defence Academy, in line with the Federal Government’s existing seven-year suspension on the creation of new tertiary institutions.
The government further noted that the initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s wider reform programme focused on deepening Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education while reinforcing the country’s healthcare manpower base.
According to the statement, the Education Minister underscored the enormity of the manpower deficit, revealing that despite Nigeria’s population surpassing 240 million, only 189 medical personnel are presently serving within the Defence Forces.
He also pointed a national shortage estimated at about 340,000 doctors.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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