Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has called for increased investment in specialised medical training and technology, saying Nigeria must equip healthcare professionals with advanced skills to meet the changing demands of healthcare delivery.
Alausa made the call on Thursday at the launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy and the unveiling of its Robotic Surgery Programme in Redemption City, Ogun State.
He described the initiative as a significant step towards expanding access to advanced medical training within Nigeria, enabling surgeons to acquire emerging surgical skills without having to travel abroad.
The minister said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development and the acquisition of skills needed to drive national development.
Alausa disclosed that the Federal Government had invested more than ₦250 billion in medical education to strengthen the capacity of medical institutions to train professionals for the country’s healthcare needs.
He said the investment included medical simulation laboratories and the rehabilitation of facilities, including hostels, across more than 24 medical schools.
The minister stressed that government funding must be complemented by private sector investment and contributions from Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to expand specialised training opportunities and improve clinical practice.
He described the RoboMed Robotics Academy as an example of how collaboration between private organisations, educational institutions and clinical professionals could translate technological investment into workforce development.
Alausa said advanced medical equipment could only deliver its full benefits when healthcare professionals were adequately trained to use it safely and effectively.
He called for stronger partnerships among universities, teaching hospitals, specialist training institutions and private organisations to promote practical learning, joint research, faculty development and exposure to emerging surgical techniques.
The minister also highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement. The initiative is being advanced in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
According to him, the programme provides a platform for Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to contribute to national development through teaching, research, mentorship and institutional capacity building.
He encouraged Nigerian surgeons, medical educators, researchers and other professionals abroad to register on the ministry’s BRIDGE portal and support local institutions through specialist mentorship, curriculum development and collaborative research.
Alausa further urged the academy to work with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, relevant professional bodies and teaching institutions to establish structured training pathways backed by appropriate approvals, supervised practice and professional assessment.
He emphasised that patient safety must remain central to the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, adding that technological advancement must be matched by clinical competence, ethical responsibility and compassionate care.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr Adedamola Dada, described the academy’s establishment and the introduction of the Robotic Surgery Programme as a major investment in Nigeria’s medical technology and workforce development.
Dada said the initiative would develop local expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical engineering and robotic-assisted healthcare, while providing training opportunities for students, healthcare professionals, engineers and researchers.
He added that the programme was designed to support access to advanced minimally invasive surgical care and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for healthcare innovation.
The event featured presentations on the academy’s training pathways, remarks from academic partners and the signing of a training Memorandum of Understanding involving Redeemer’s Health Village, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Redeemer’s University and RoboMed Global.
Guests also toured the training facilities and watched a robotic surgery and telesurgery simulation demonstration conducted without a patient.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to promoting partnerships among government institutions, private investors, universities, specialist training bodies and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to expand access to quality training and strengthen the country’s specialised workforce.
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