President Bola Tinubu has approved a N110 billion special intervention fund for 18 Nigerian universities to strengthen medical education, amid the growing “japa” trend of doctors and health workers migrating abroad in search of better opportunities.
Under this initiative, each university will receive approximately N4 billion, which includes N750 million earmarked specifically for the construction of student hostels. The funding also covers the establishment of eight state-of-the-art medical simulation laboratories across Nigeria’s geo-political zones and aims to significantly boost enrolment in medical and allied health sciences.
The 18 universities selected for the intervention are:
1. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
2. Bayelsa Medical University
3. University of Lagos
4. Ahmadu Bello University
5. University of Benin
6. Imo State University
7. University of Ibadan
8. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
9. Benue State University
10. Umaru Musa Yaradua University
11. University of Nigeria
12. University of Calabar
13. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
14. University of Jos
15. University of Ilorin
16. Gombe State University
17. Usmanu Danfodio University
18. University of Maiduguri
The funds will be used to renovate lecture halls, upgrade laboratory facilities, and expand academic capacity to train more doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists — a strategic response to Nigeria’s healthcare workforce shortage.
The move is widely seen as part of a broader effort by the federal government to reverse brain drain in the health sector and enhance the quality of medical education nationwide.