The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has called for stronger partnerships between government, private institutions and Nigerians in the diaspora to expand specialised medical training and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. Alausa made the call on Thursday during the launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy…...
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has called for stronger partnerships between government, private institutions and Nigerians in the diaspora to expand specialised medical training and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
Alausa made the call on Thursday during 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, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah.
The minister said the initiative would expand access to advanced specialist training within Nigeria and equip medical professionals with emerging surgical skills without requiring them to travel abroad.
He described the academy as a significant step towards advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through human capital development.
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Alausa said, “The development reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda’s emphasis on developing the capacity of Nigerians to drive national progress, noting that a stronger education system must equip professionals with the knowledge, practical skills and technological competence required to meet the country’s evolving needs.”
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had invested more than ₦250 billion in medical education to strengthen the capacity of institutions to train professionals for an increasingly technology-driven healthcare sector.
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.
Alausa stressed that government funding must be complemented by private sector participation and the expertise of professionals in the diaspora to improve access to specialised training.
He described the RHV RoboMed Robotics Academy as an example of how collaboration between private enterprise, educational institutions and clinical professionals could translate technological investment into human capital development.
The minister also emphasised the importance of training medical professionals to operate advanced equipment safely and effectively.
He said, “Advanced medical equipment delivers its greatest value when professionals are adequately trained to use it competently, responsibly 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, joint research, faculty development and exposure to emerging surgical techniques.
He further highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement, being advanced in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
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According to him, the programme provides a structured platform for Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute to national development through teaching, research, mentorship and institutional capacity building.
He encouraged 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.
On the implementation of robotic surgery training, Alausa urged the academy to work closely 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 stressed that patient safety must remain central to the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery.
“Technological advancement must be matched by clinical competence, sound judgement, ethical responsibility and compassionate care,” the minister said.
Addressing surgeons and trainees expected to benefit from the academy, Alausa urged them to approach their training with discipline and humility, develop their skills responsibly and share their knowledge with colleagues.
He added that access to modern training and meaningful professional development could make medical careers in Nigeria more rewarding while strengthening the country’s capacity to retain and develop highly skilled professionals.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr Adedamola Dada, said the establishment of the academy and the introduction of the Robotic Surgery Programme represented a major investment in Nigeria’s medical technology and workforce development.
Dada explained that the initiative would build local capacity 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 in Nigeria and strengthen the country’s position in healthcare innovation.
The event featured presentations on the academy’s training pathways, remarks from 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, with no patient involved.
Alausa assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to encourage sustainable partnerships among government institutions, private sector investors, universities, specialist training bodies and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to expand access to quality training and strengthen institutional capacity.