The Federal Government has advanced plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine & Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) as a strategic intervention to strengthen military healthcare services, address manpower shortages within the Armed Forces, and expand Nigeria’s medical training capacity.
The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmed, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, and other key stakeholders across defence, health, and education sectors.
In line with the NESRI 6-Point Agenda, the Minister of Education emphasized that the College will build a sustainable pipeline of combat casualty-trained doctors, trauma specialists, emergency medics, military public health experts, and allied health professionals. He noted that while Nigeria’s population exceeds 240 million, only 189 medical professionals currently serve in the Defence Forces, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
Nigeria faces a broader deficit of about 340,000 doctors. As part of reforms, annual medical school admissions have already doubled from 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with projections to reach 19,000 in coming years. AFCOM&HS will form a critical component of this expansion strategy.
The College will be established within the Nigerian Defence Academy’s existing university framework, in compliance with the Federal Government’s moratorium on new tertiary institutions. Clinical training will be anchored at accredited military hospitals to ensure strong partnerships and quality standards.
Medical cadets will gain admission through JAMB and, upon graduation, will be commissioned as Captains equipped with world-class medical expertise and operational readiness. The structure is designed to enhance retention and ensure a steady pipeline of commissioned medical officers.
A Technical Working Group comprising the Ministries of Education and Defence, NDA, MODHIP, regulatory councils, and medical school leadership has been constituted to guarantee compliance and quality assurance. Admissions are expected to commence by October/November 2026.
Officials stressed that the College represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s health security, workforce development, and the welfare of defence personnel, while positioning the country as a regional hub for military medical training in West Africa.
By Ngozi Nwankwo, Abuja
