The Federal Government has announced plans to begin training doctors, nurses, and other specialised healthcare professionals exclusively for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The first batch of military medical cadets is expected to be admitted in the 2026 academic session.

Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa disclosed the development in Abuja while inaugurating a Technical Working Group to fast-track the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences. He said the new institution would end the military’s long-standing dependence on civilian universities for medical personnel.

Alausa described the initiative as a strategic investment in national security. He noted that the Armed Forces need healthcare professionals trained specifically for the unique demands of military operations, both on and off the battlefield.

The college will be located at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna and will follow a model similar to the Uniformed Services University in the United States. Cadets will receive combined academic and military training, including specialised skills in battlefield medicine.

Officials said the Armed Forces currently face a severe shortage of medical personnel. The Technical Working Group has been directed to develop the curriculum and complete all necessary preparations so that academic activities can begin as planned in 2026.

Photo credit: Nigeria Stories