FGN
Olamilekan Abayomi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has established the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS) to address the country’s significant doctor shortage, estimated at 340,000. With only 189 medical professionals currently serving in the Defence Forces, this initiative aims to strengthen military medical readiness and expand Nigeria’s healthcare training capacity.
The college will be established within the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, leveraging accredited federal and military hospitals for clinical training. This strategic move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive and the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions .
The AFCOM&HS will produce combat casualty-trained doctors, trauma surgeons, emergency response medics, and military public health experts, among others. Graduates will be commissioned as captains in the Armed Forces, combining medical expertise with military discipline and leadership skills.
The initiative is expected to position Nigeria as a regional hub for military medical training in West Africa. Admissions will be conducted through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), ensuring transparency and competitiveness.
The Federal Ministry of Education has already doubled annual medical school admissions from 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with plans to increase to 19,000 in the coming years. The AFCOM&HS will serve as a critical pillar in this expansion drive.
A Technical Working Group has been constituted to oversee implementation and ensure regulatory compliance. The group includes representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, and regulatory bodies .
The establishment of AFCOM&HS is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s health security, defence personnel welfare, and long-term medical workforce development. It addresses the country’s healthcare challenges and enhances military readiness .
