The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has welcomed the listing of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS) on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal for the 2026/2027 academic session, as the institution prepares to admit its first batch of 100 cadets.

Alausa described the development as a significant milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening education, healthcare delivery and national security.

The minister said the establishment of the college would address critical manpower needs in military healthcare by providing specialised training for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

According to him, the institution represents a major step towards integrating medical education with military officer development, equipping cadets with clinical expertise, professional ethics and leadership skills required to support the health needs of the Armed Forces.

Located within the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, AFCOM-HS has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Nursing Science (B.NSc.).

The college is preparing to admit its pioneer cohort of 100 cadets for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Federal Ministry of Education described the institution as a pioneering initiative in Nigeria, established specifically to train military cadets in medicine, surgery, nursing and other related health disciplines.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to the development of specialised medical personnel capable of strengthening military healthcare services and advancing national health security.

Alausa attributed the establishment of the college to the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the education sector through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He commended the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Chris Musa; the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle; the Armed Forces leadership; and the Technical Working Group chaired by Brigadier General Dr. Idris Babatunde Solebo for their contributions to the project.

The minister also acknowledged the roles of the NUC, JAMB and relevant professional regulatory authorities in facilitating the institution’s establishment and development.

He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to academic oversight, quality assurance and collaboration with regulatory bodies to ensure that the college maintains the required educational standards.

Prospective applicants have been advised to consult official AFCOM-HS and JAMB channels for information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, military selection requirements and admission dates.

The listing of AFCOM-HS on the JAMB portal marks a key step towards the commencement of its academic programmes, with the institution expected to play a strategic role in developing Nigeria’s military medical workforce.

The development was announced in a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education.