April 30 – The Federal Government has approved the release of N110 billion under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) High Impact Intervention Project for the rehabilitation and upgrade of medical schools in 18 tertiary institutions across the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on the TETFund High Impact Intervention Project.
“Today, we are deploying over N100 billion in our medical institutions across the country. In five years, this investment is projected to hit N1.5 trillion,” he said.
The minister added that the initiative would lead to a significant increase in enrolment across four medical science programmes and the establishment of eight modern simulation laboratories across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Each of the 18 beneficiary institutions will receive about N4 billion, including N750 million for the construction of hostels.
Alausa said the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving medical education and healthcare delivery, and would ensure that Nigerian medical schools are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in line with global best practices.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the project as a crucial step toward ending medical education tourism and strengthening the production of competent healthcare professionals.
“The TETFund High Impact Intervention for Medical Schools Rehabilitation is a strategic initiative to enhance excellence in medical education and equip our future doctors with the tools to meet the demands of a fast-evolving global health landscape,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, noted that the committee’s establishment was part of efforts to ensure the effective and transparent utilisation of the intervention funds.
“This project is designed to boost infrastructure in medical schools—rehabilitating lecture theatres and laboratories—to increase the intake and output of doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists across the country,” Echono stated.
The 12-member committee is chaired by Prof. Suleiman Alabi, President of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine. It is tasked with ensuring that project goals are met, funds are properly utilised, and stakeholders—including faculty, students, and relevant health bodies—are actively engaged.
Beneficiary institutions include:
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Bayelsa State University; University of Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Benin; Imo State University, Owerri; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; University of Ibadan; Benue State University, Makurdi; Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Calabar; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; University of Ilorin; University of Maiduguri; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; and Gombe State University.
Alausa said the intervention was in direct response to the urgent need to scale up Nigeria’s capacity to train healthcare professionals. According to him, the N110 billion includes N70 billion earmarked specifically for the rehabilitation of medical institutions.
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