FG Plans Medical Simulation Centres Across Six Geopolitical Zones

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish world-class Medical Simulation Centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen practical training for students in medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health professions.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Education, Ikharo Attah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 30, 2026, following the Minister’s receipt of the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Medical Simulation Committee.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative would provide students with improved access to practical training as the country expands admission into healthcare-related programmes.

Alausa said the project was aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s efforts to increase Nigeria’s healthcare workforce while improving the quality of professional training.

“I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country to provide world-class training for our medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students and other allied healthcare professionals,” the minister said.

He said the need for expanded practical training had become more urgent because of the sharp increase in enrolment and admissions into health-related programmes across the country.

According to him, nursing enrolment has risen from about 38,000 students three years ago to more than 120,000 students across nursing schools in Nigeria.

Alausa also disclosed that annual admission into medical schools had increased from about 5,000 students when the Tinubu administration assumed office to almost 12,000.

“Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students primarily now. Our goal in the next three years will increase the number of annual medical student enrollment in medical school to about 20,000,” he stated.

He added that admissions into pharmacy and dental schools had also doubled, further increasing the number of healthcare professionals undergoing training in the country.

The minister commended the Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, Dr Wale Suleiman, and other members for their work in preparing the report and advancing plans for the proposed centres.

He also acknowledged the contributions of key professional and academic stakeholders, including representatives of the Medical and Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the University of Abuja Medical School.

Alausa described the initiative as another indication of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the quality of education and strengthening professional training in Nigeria.

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

“We are seeing it, we are seeing the result now. It’s another manifestation of President Bola’s fervent and benevolent belief to the progress and benefit of the future of Nigeria,” he added.

The minister assured that the administration would continue to support the development of the TETFund Medical Simulation Centres and the expansion of healthcare education, with the aim of giving more Nigerian students access to quality professional training and developing the workforce required to meet the country’s future healthcare needs.