N250bn invested in medical education for infrastructure upgrade — Alausa

The Federal Government has invested over N250 billion in medical education to strengthen the training of healthcare professionals and improve the capacity of medical institutions to meet Nigeria’s healthcare needs, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has said.

Alausa disclosed this at the launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy and the unveiling of its Robotic Surgery Programme in Redemption City, Ogun State.

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He said the investment covered the provision of medical simulation laboratories and the rehabilitation of facilities, including hostels, across more than 24 medical schools in the country.

The minister in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, said the investment was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that medical education must equip professionals with the knowledge, practical skills and technological competence required to address emerging healthcare challenges.

According to him, the launch of the robotics academy represents a significant step towards expanding access to specialised medical training in Nigeria and reducing the need for Nigerian surgeons to travel abroad to acquire advanced surgical skills.

He emphasised that investment in modern medical equipment must be matched by adequate professional training to ensure that emerging technologies are used competently, ethically and in the best interests of patients.

Alausa called for stronger partnerships among universities, teaching hospitals, specialist training institutions and private sector organisations to promote practical learning, collaborative research, faculty development and exposure to emerging surgical techniques.

He also stressed the need for private sector participation and contributions from Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to complement government investments and expand opportunities for specialised training.

The minister highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement, being implemented in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He explained that the initiative provides a platform for Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute to national development through teaching, research, mentorship and institutional capacity building.

He urged Nigerian surgeons, medical educators, researchers and other professionals abroad to register on the ministry’s BRIDGE portal and support local institutions through specialist mentorship, curriculum development and collaborative research.

Alausa further called on the RoboMed Robotics Academy to collaborate with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, relevant professional bodies and teaching institutions to establish structured training pathways backed by appropriate approvals, supervised practice, assessment and continuing professional development.

He said patient safety must remain central to the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, adding that technological advancement must be supported by clinical competence, sound judgement, ethical responsibility and compassionate care.

The minister urged surgeons and trainees to approach their training with discipline and humility, develop their skills responsibly and share their knowledge with colleagues.

He said access to modern training and meaningful professional development would make professional careers in Nigeria more rewarding while strengthening the country’s capacity to retain highly skilled personnel.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr. Adedamola Dada, described the establishment of the robotics academy and the introduction of the Robotic Surgery Programme as a major investment in medical technology and workforce development.

Dada said the initiative would build local expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical engineering and robotic-assisted healthcare, while providing opportunities for students, healthcare professionals, engineers and researchers to acquire globally competitive skills.

He added that the programme was designed to improve access to advanced minimally invasive surgical care and strengthen Nigeria’s position in healthcare innovation.

The event featured presentations on the academy’s training pathways, remarks by academic partners and the signing of a training Memorandum of Understanding involving Redeemer’s Health Village, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Redeemer’s University and RoboMed Global.

Guests also toured the training facilities and witnessed a robotic surgery and telesurgery simulation demonstration conducted without a patient.

Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to promoting sustainable partnerships among government institutions, private investors, universities, specialist training bodies and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to expand access to quality training and strengthen the country’s human capital.