…Says Nigeria Must Expand Training of Health Professionals Despite Japa Syndrome

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned 13 projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, in a move aimed at strengthening medical education, research and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Friday during the commissioning ceremony at the university, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the country’s capacity to train highly skilled medical and healthcare professionals.

Echono said the projects reflected the government’s determination to improve medical education through sustained investment in infrastructure, research facilities and academic development.

He commended the university’s governing council, Senate, management and staff for their contributions to its rapid growth since its establishment in 2021, describing FUHSA’s development as evidence of what purposeful investment, strategic planning and national commitment could achieve in specialised medical education.

According to him, TETFund has continued to provide dedicated funding to support the institution’s infrastructure, academic programmes, research facilities and overall development.

Addressing concerns over the migration of Nigerian medical professionals abroad, popularly known as the japa syndrome, Echono argued that Nigeria should focus on expanding the production of healthcare workers rather than viewing their international movement solely as a challenge.

He maintained that Nigerian-trained medical professionals were highly valued globally and could contribute to national development through remittances, knowledge transfer and eventual return to the country.

“I’m one of those who hold the view that we should not worry about what many call the japa syndrome. What we need to do is to intensify our investment, as we invest to produce more medical and health personnel,” he said.

Echono added that the economic value of exporting skilled professionals could exceed that of some of the country’s natural resources exported in crude form.

He further stated that institutions that utilised their allocations effectively and completed projects within schedule deserved additional support to sustain their growth and improve their contributions to national development.

The commissioned facilities include modern laboratories, lecture theatres, student hostels, research centres and other critical infrastructure designed to provide a conducive learning environment for future doctors, biomedical scientists, nurses, pharmacists, public health experts and other healthcare professionals.

The TETFund chief recalled that the Federal Government approved the establishment of six specialised federal universities of health sciences in 2021, with one planned for each geopolitical zone, to address the country’s shortage of healthcare professionals.

He explained that the initiative followed lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s medical research capacity and preparedness for future public health emergencies.

Echono also disclosed that TETFund’s board had endorsed and recommended contracts for the establishment of eight medical simulation centres across the country to the Federal Executive Council.

He said FUHSA was among the beneficiary institutions, noting that the projects were expected to commence in 2026, while the installation of equipment was scheduled for 2027.

The executive secretary also appreciated the Bauchi State Government and residents of Azare for their support in facilitating the establishment and development of the university, particularly in securing a suitable location for the institution.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUHSA, Prof. Bala Audu, said TETFund had remained a major source of support for infrastructure development and equipment procurement since the university was established.

Audu described the commissioned Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences building as one of the institution’s major infrastructure projects.

He explained that the facility houses five departments, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, laboratories, academic offices and a lecture theatre, providing essential facilities for teaching, research and academic activities.

However, the vice-chancellor appealed for additional interventions to develop the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences, stressing that further investments were necessary to expand the university’s capacity to train more healthcare professionals.

He said the request aligned with the Federal Government’s policy of increasing the number of qualified health professionals available to meet Nigeria’s healthcare needs.

According to him, additional facilities would enable FUHSA to produce more medical personnel and contribute significantly to addressing the country’s healthcare workforce shortage.

“The investment that the Federal Government has made in this institution and indeed all the specialised Federal Universities of Health Sciences is to produce the desired manpower for health,” Audu said.

He noted that Nigerian-trained healthcare professionals serve not only the country’s population but also healthcare systems across the world, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in medical education.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Samuel Adejare, described FUHSA’s progress as remarkable, noting that the institution was among the specialised federal universities that had already begun graduating students.

Adejare commended the vice-chancellor and management for their commitment to institutional development, adding that the governing council had maintained a cooperative relationship with the university’s administration.

He also appealed for additional support to construct larger hostels for male and female students, explaining that adequate accommodation remained one of the institution’s pressing infrastructure needs.

He expressed confidence that continued investment and collaboration among the Federal Government, TETFund and the university’s management would further strengthen FUHSA’s capacity to deliver quality medical education and contribute to improving healthcare services in Nigeria.