The Federal Government has announced a significant expansion in medical education, raising annual student enrollment to 20,000 as part of efforts to tackle manpower shortages in Nigeria’s health sector.
Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa revealed this in Abuja on Monday during the launch of the ministry’s 2025–2027 Communication Strategy. He said the move is a key pillar of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Alausa, admissions into Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy have doubled in recent years, with intakes expected to hit 20,000 in the 2025/2026 academic session, compared to about 5,000 previously. Nursing admissions have also surged from 28,000 to 115,000 nationwide.
The government hopes the reform will not only address shortages of health workers but also reduce the “japa” trend, which has seen many Nigerian professionals migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
