The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has said the Federal Government has invested over ₦250 billion in medical education to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian institutions to train healthcare professionals and meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven healthcare sector.

Alausa disclosed this on Thursday during the official launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy and the unveiling of its Robotic Surgery Programme in Redemption City, Ogun State.

The minister described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening local expertise in advanced medical practice, noting that it would provide Nigerian surgeons with opportunities to acquire specialised skills in robotic-assisted surgery without travelling abroad for training.

He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, technological advancement and investment in skills needed to drive national development.

According to Alausa, the Federal Government’s investment in medical education includes the provision of medical simulation laboratories and the rehabilitation of facilities, including hostels, across more than 24 medical schools nationwide.

He, however, stressed that government funding alone would not be sufficient to meet the country’s growing demand for specialised medical training, calling for stronger partnerships with the private sector and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.

The minister described the RHV RoboMed Robotics Academy as an example of how collaboration between private institutions, educational establishments and clinical professionals could translate investment in technology into practical human capital development.

He emphasised that acquiring advanced medical equipment must go hand in hand with developing the expertise required to operate it safely and effectively.

Alausa urged universities, teaching hospitals, specialist training institutions and private organisations to strengthen collaboration in practical learning, joint research, faculty development and exposure to emerging surgical techniques.

He also highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement, being advanced in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

According to him, the programme provides a platform for Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute to national development through teaching, research, mentorship and institutional capacity building.

He encouraged Nigerian surgeons, medical educators, researchers and other professionals abroad to register on the ministry’s BRIDGE portal and support local institutions through specialist mentorship, curriculum development and collaborative research.

The minister further called on the academy to work closely with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, relevant professional bodies and teaching institutions to establish structured training pathways supported by appropriate approvals, supervised practice, assessment and continuing professional development.

He maintained that patient safety must remain central to the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, adding that technological advancement must be supported by clinical competence, sound professional judgement, ethical responsibility and compassionate care.

Addressing surgeons and trainees expected to benefit from the programme, Alausa urged them to approach their training with discipline and humility, develop their skills responsibly and share their knowledge with other professionals.

He said expanding access to modern medical training could make professional careers in Nigeria more attractive while strengthening the country’s capacity to retain and develop highly skilled healthcare personnel.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr. Adedamola Dada, described the establishment of the academy and the introduction of the Robotic Surgery Programme as a major investment in Nigeria’s medical technology and workforce development.

Dada said the initiative would build local capacity in robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical engineering and robotic-assisted healthcare, while creating opportunities for students, healthcare professionals, engineers and researchers to acquire globally competitive skills.

He added that the programme was designed to support access to advanced minimally invasive surgical care in Nigeria and strengthen the country’s position in healthcare innovation.

The event featured presentations on the academy’s training pathways, remarks by academic partners and the signing of a training Memorandum of Understanding involving Redeemer’s Health Village, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Redeemer’s University and RoboMed Global.

Participants also toured the training facilities and witnessed a demonstration of robotic surgery and telesurgery simulation, which did not involve any patient.

Alausa assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to promote sustainable partnerships among government institutions, private sector investors, universities, specialist training bodies and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to expand access to quality training and strengthen institutional capacity.

He said such collaborations would help prepare a new generation of skilled professionals capable of advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system and contributing to national development.