FG targets 20,000 medical students yearly as Nigeria battles brain drain

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish six world-class medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, as part of efforts to expand healthcare training and increase annual medical school admissions to 20,000 students within the next three years.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Medical Simulation Committee.

Mr Alausa said the proposed centres would provide practical training for medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and other allied healthcare students.

He said the initiative had become necessary as enrolment into health-related programmes continues to rise.

According to him, nursing enrolment has increased from about 38,000 students three years ago to more than 120,000, while annual medical school admissions have risen from about 5,000 to almost 12,000 since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.

“Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students. Our goal in the next three years will be to increase the number of annual medical student enrolment in medical schools to about 20,000,” Mr Alausa said.

Why the simulation centres matter

The government says the centres will help ensure that the growing number of students entering healthcare professions receive adequate practical and hands-on training.

The expansion comes against the backdrop of concerns over the migration of Nigerian-trained doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking better remuneration, working conditions and career opportunities abroad.

The government is therefore seeking to expand training capacity while improving the quality of practical education available to future healthcare workers.

What it means for Nigerians

For Nigerians, the plan could mean more doctors and other healthcare professionals being trained locally, potentially helping to address shortages of skilled personnel in hospitals.

The government also hopes that strengthening training infrastructure will support the development of the healthcare workforce needed to meet the country’s future demands.

Mr Alausa said the initiative was part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving education and developing Nigeria’s workforce.

“President Bola is committed to providing the best and the highest quality of education to every child in this country,” he said.

The six proposed centres will be distributed across the country’s geopolitical zones and are expected to support training not only for medical students but also for students in dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health professions.