The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to fast-track the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with the first batch of military medical cadets expected to commence studies in the 2026 academic session.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, said the proposed institution would provide a sustainable pipeline of doctors, nurses and other specialised healthcare professionals trained specifically to meet the operational needs of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, reducing the military’s reliance on civilian institutions for medical personnel.

The Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying the inauguration marks the transition from policy approval to implementation following the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of the College.

Alausa described the initiative as a strategic investment in national security and human capital development, stressing that members of the Armed Forces deserve a healthcare workforce specifically trained to address the unique demands of military service.

“We cannot continue to leave the brave men and women who defend our nation without a sustainable system for training the healthcare professionals they require. Neither can we continue to expect the Armed Forces to compete with the rest of the country for the limited number of doctors graduating from our universities,” the Minister said.

He explained that the initiative complements the Federal Government’s ongoing expansion of medical education, revealing that annual admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased from about 5,000 before the current administration to 10,405 students. According to him, the target is to increase admissions to at least 20,000 within the next two years through the accreditation of more Colleges of Medicine.

The Minister also disclosed that annual enrolment into nursing programmes has grown from about 28,000 to nearly 120,000 nationwide, surpassing the administration’s target. He commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for maintaining standards that have earned Nigerian nurses international recognition.

Alausa, however, maintained that the healthcare requirements of the Armed Forces demand a purpose-built institution with programmes tailored to military realities. He urged the Technical Working Group to prioritise specialised disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and other programmes critical to the treatment and rehabilitation of personnel recovering from combat-related injuries.

He said the committee comprises representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defence, the National Universities Commission, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Defence Academy and other strategic institutions to ensure seamless accreditation, admissions and programme approvals.

According to the Minister, the committee will develop the academic curriculum, integrate academic and military training, coordinate accreditation processes, facilitate the appointment of key academic personnel and collaborate with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure academic activities commence during the 2026 academic session.

He further disclosed that he had engaged the JAMB Registrar to facilitate the inclusion of the institution on the admissions portal and directed the National Universities Commission to expedite resource verification and accreditation to enable the admission of the pioneer military medical cadets in 2026.

Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Director General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Major General Idris Babatunde Solebo, said the proposed institution is being developed using the model of the United States Uniformed Services University, where medical cadets receive integrated academic and military training from admission to graduation.

Solebo said the College will be situated at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, where existing infrastructure will support immediate take-off. He added that the Armed Forces currently face an estimated 93 per cent deficit in medical personnel, making the establishment of the College critical to strengthening military healthcare and ensuring a sustainable supply of medical professionals.

Alausa expressed appreciation to the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence for their support for the project and expressed confidence that the Technical Working Group would deliver on its mandate, paving the way for the admission of the pioneer military medical cadets during the 2026 academic session.