FG Unveils Plan To Establish Armed Forces Medical College in Lagos

The Federal Government has advanced plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) as part of efforts to strengthen military healthcare services and expand Nigeria’s medical training capacity.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a high-level meeting with the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and other key stakeholders. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government said the initiative is designed to address manpower shortages within the armed forces while contributing to national healthcare workforce expansion.
Dr. Alausa explained that the proposed college aligns with the Federal Government’s reform agenda, particularly its drive to strengthen science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and medical sciences education.
According to him, the institution will create a structured and sustainable pipeline of military-trained doctors, surgeons, trauma specialists, emergency response medics, and allied health professionals.
He noted that Nigeria, with a population exceeding 240 million, faces a deficit of approximately 340,000 doctors, underscoring the need for innovative and scalable training models.
As part of broader reforms, the minister revealed that annual medical school admissions have been increased from about 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with projections to scale up to approximately 19,000 in the coming years. He said the Armed Forces medical college would form a key component of this expansion strategy.
In line with the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) will establish the college within its existing framework.
The institution is to be located in Lagos State and linked to accredited federal and military hospitals for clinical training. Designated facilities include the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital and the 661 Nigerian Air Force Hospital in Lagos.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that medical cadets will undergo an eight-year programme comprising six years of academic study, one year of military training, and one year of housemanship. Graduates are expected to combine medical expertise with discipline, leadership capacity, and operational readiness for military service.
To ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance, a Technical Working Group has been constituted. The group comprises representatives from the Ministries of Education and Defence, the Nigerian Defence Academy, and relevant professional and regulatory bodies.
The minister expressed optimism that admissions into the college could commence by October or November 2026.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with defence authorities and regulatory institutions to deliver the project in line with national standards and global best practices.