The Nigerian Government has revealed plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) as part of a broader initiative to strengthen military healthcare services and expand the nation’s medical training capacity.
The announcement was made in Abuja by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education. She stated that the initiative is aimed at addressing manpower shortages in the Armed Forces while providing a sustainable pipeline of qualified medical professionals for the country.
Boriowo quoted the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who disclosed the plan during a high-level meeting with the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, and other key stakeholders, including the Ministers of State for Education and Defence, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad and Dr Bello Matawalle.
Dr Alausa explained that the proposed college aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda, particularly the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education. He said the institution will train doctors, surgeons, trauma specialists, emergency response medics, and other allied health professionals with both academic expertise and operational readiness for military service.
“Nigeria faces a significant shortage of medical professionals with over 240 million people and a deficit of approximately 340,000 doctors,” he said. “This college will provide a structured, sustainable pathway to equip our Armed Forces with skilled healthcare personnel.”
The minister added that the Ministry of Education had already doubled annual medical school admissions from 5,000 to nearly 10,000 students, with plans to increase this to 19,000 in the coming years.
Alausa noted that the college will be established within the framework of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Lagos State, in line with the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions. Clinical training will take place in accredited military and federal hospitals, including the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital and 661 Nigerian Air Force Hospital.
He further explained that students will undergo an eight-year programme, comprising six years of academic training, one year of military training, and one year of housemanship. Graduates will emerge with medical expertise, leadership skills, discipline, and readiness for deployment within the Armed Forces.
A Technical Working Group has been established to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and global best practices. Its members include representatives from the Ministries of Education and Defence, the Nigerian Defence Academy, and relevant professional bodies.
Dr Alausa said the government intends for admissions to commence by October or November 2026, and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support of the initiative, which he described as critical to both human capital development and national security.
“We are committed to working closely with our defence and regulatory partners to ensure this college delivers on its mandate,” he said.
