The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS), a specialised institution designed to enhance military healthcare capacity and resolve critical personnel shortages across the nation’s Defence Forces.
The decision emerged from a high-level strategic meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suiwaba Sai’d Ahmed. Key attendees included the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, alongside senior officials from the ministries of Education, Defence, and Health.
According to a statement released by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the proposed college will operate under the administrative framework of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). This structure complies with the Federal Government’s existing seven-year moratorium on the creation of new standalone tertiary institutions, ensuring the initiative integrates with established military training systems.
The policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader reform agenda prioritising Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education to strengthen national health manpower. During the meeting, the Education Minister highlighted the acute deficit in medical personnel. He stated that with Nigeria’s population exceeding 240 million, only 189 medical officers are currently serving across all Defence Forces. This mirrors a national shortage estimated at approximately 340,000 doctors, a gap that significantly impacts both civilian and military health infrastructure.
The AFCOM&HS is expected to focus on training Nigerian military personnel in medicine, nursing, and allied health disciplines. By creating a dedicated pipeline of skilled health professionals for the Armed Forces, the government aims to improve medical support for troops and their families while contributing to the national healthcare workforce.
This development represents a targeted intervention to bolster institutional capacity within the security sector. The next phases will likely involve curriculum development, accreditation processes, and resource mobilisation to operationalise the college within the NDA system. If successfully implemented, the institution could serve as a model for integrated military-civilian health education, directly addressing a persistent vulnerability in national security and public health planning.
