FG Establishes Armed Forces Medical College to Tackle 340,000 Doctor Shortage
Federal Government Moves to Establish Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences
The Federal Government has approved plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) as part of its efforts to enhance military medical services and address significant personnel shortages within the Armed Forces. This decision emerged from a high-level meeting led by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, along with other officials, including Minister of State for Education Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmed, Minister of Defence Christopher Gwabin Musa, and Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
According to a statement released Thursday by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the new college will be integrated within the Nigerian Defence Academy, adhering to the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium on establishing new tertiary institutions.
The establishment of AFCOM&HS is part of the administration’s larger reform agenda aimed at expanding education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) while bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
In remarks to stakeholders, Minister Alausa emphasized the urgent need for reforms in military medical staffing. He noted that Nigeria’s population exceeds 240 million, yet only 189 medical professionals serve in the Defence Forces. This is alongside a nationwide deficit of approximately 340,000 doctors.
As part of broader educational reforms, the Federal Ministry of Education has raised annual admissions to medical schools from around 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with plans to increase this number to about 19,000 in the coming years. The Armed Forces College is expected to play a crucial role in this expansion.
Under the proposed framework, medical cadets will gain admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and will be commissioned as Captains upon completing their training. The program aims to produce specialists in combat casualty care, trauma surgery, emergency medical response, military public health, and disaster and humanitarian response.
Clinical training for cadets will occur in accredited federal and military hospitals to ensure compliance with quality standards.
To facilitate this initiative, a Technical Working Group has been formed, consisting of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Defence Academy, and various regulatory bodies, including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
This group is responsible for finalizing all regulatory processes in preparation for the anticipated admissions beginning in October or November 2026.
Government officials view the college as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s health security and military preparedness, with the potential to position the country as a regional center for military medical training in West Africa.
