18 varsities to share N110bn for medical programmes

The Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a N110 billion investment towards enhancing the study of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing in 18 universities across the country.

According to the government, each of the 18 benefiting institutions would receive approximately N4 billion, including N750 million for hostel construction.

The benefiting universities for the TETFund High Impact Intervention Project for Medical Schools Rehabilitation are Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Bayelsa State University; University of Lagos; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Benin and Imo State University, Owerri.

Others are University of Medical Sciences Ondo; University of Ibadan; Benue State University, Makurdi; Umar Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina; University of Nigeria, Nssuka and University of Calabar.

The list also includes Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; University of Ilorin; University of Maiduguri; Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto, and Gombe State University.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this known while inaugurating the ministerial committee on TETFund High Impact Intervention Project for Medical Schools Rehabilitation Across the Six Geo-political Zones on Tuesday in Abuja.

Alausa said the investment, which will run for five years consecutively, would hit N1.5 trillion after five years.

The minister said: “Today, we are deploying over 100 billion in our medical institutions across the country. This N110 billion includes N70 billion on rehabilitation of our medical institutions.”

He stated that the investment would lead to massive increase in enrolment for the four medical sciences programmes.

“With the investment today, in five years we would have invested N1.5 trillion in our medical education,” the minister said, adding that the move would also see the establishment of eight simulation labs across the six geo-political zones.

While expressing the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to improving medical education in Nigeria and ultimately improving healthcare delivery in the country, Alausa said the TETFUND High Impact Intervention Project is a direct response to the need to upgrade and expand the facilities in Nigerian medical schools, ensuring that they are equipped with the latest technologies and resources.

He added that this was a significant milestone in the government’s commitment.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the initiative would lead to production of medical doctors in the country and end education tourism in medical sciences.

She added: “TETFund High Impact Intervention Project for Medical Schools Rehabilitation is one of the government’s key initiatives to foster excellence in medical education, enhance the quality of healthcare training, and equip our future doctors and healthcare professionals with the skills and facilities necessary to meet the demands of an ever-evolving medical landscape.

“The government, through the intervention of TETFund, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to improving these facilities. This initiative seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade medical schools across the country, ensuring that the next generation of healthcare professionals is trained in state-of-the-art environments that reflect global best practices.”

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the setting up of the committee was conceived as part of the Minister’s initiative to enhance the Nigerian education system, specifically the Medical Schools by utilising the TETFund High Impact Intervention Projects efficiently and effectively to address critical national needs in the health sector.

He said: “This has been designed to improve infrastructure in medical schools, through the rehabilitation of lecture theatres and laboratory facilities thereby enhancing capacity to take-in and produce more Doctors, Nurses. Dentists and pharmacists for the nation.”

He called on the members of the committee to give their best in ensuring the success of the initiative.

The 12-man committee, which is chaired by Prof. Suleiman Alabi-Chairman of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine, has its terms of reference to include ensuring adherence to project goals, monitoring the proper use of funds, and maintaining detailed records.

The committee was also charged to ensure that the funds allocated to the rehabilitation of medical schools are used effectively as well as be responsible for ensuring that all stakeholders—including medical school administrators, faculty, students, and relevant health bodies—are fully engaged throughout the project’s implementation.

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