The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has announced the deployment of 35 medical professionals, including nurses and doctors, to Zanzibar, Tanzania. This initiative aims to address both educational and professional gaps in the country. Dr. Yusuf Yakub, the Director General of NTAC, stated that this action aligns with the agency’s mandate to send volunteers to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) nations in need of expertise, highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s support through soft power diplomacy.

In related news, the Federal Government of Nigeria is seeking N1.5 trillion in investments for the country’s medical education over the next five years. The government has allocated over N110 billion to 18 public universities to boost enrolment into medicine and surgery, pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing programs. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the allocation during the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee on TETFund High Impact Intervention Project for medical schools’ rehabilitation across the six geopolitical zones. Prof. Sulaiman Alabi chairs the committee.

Dr. Alausa specified that N70 billion of the N110 billion investment would rehabilitate medical institutions in the 18 universities, N15 billion would build new hostels for each school, and medical simulation laboratories would be established in six of the institutions. Each of the 18 institutions will receive N4 billion, including N750 million for new hostels. The benefiting institutions include University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Benin; University of Ibadan, Imo State University, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State; Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina State; University of Calabar, Benue State University and University of Maiduguri, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Gombe State University, University of Nigeria Nsukka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Bayelsa State University, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The Minister emphasized that the rehabilitation of medical schools would significantly improve the quality of medical education in Nigeria by enhancing learning facilities and providing a conducive environment for learning. Advanced research facilities and equipment will also enable medical students and faculty to conduct research to drive medical innovations and address health challenges specific to Nigeria. Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, noted that the initiative aims to improve medical schools’ infrastructure, increase capacity, and produce more healthcare professionals.