The Federal Government plans to increase annual medical student admissions to 20,000 within the next three years and establish six medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Medical Simulation Committee.

Alausa said the proposed centres would provide practical training for medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and other allied healthcare students.

He said the initiative was necessary to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce amid the growing number of students enrolling in health-related programmes.

The minister disclosed that annual medical school admissions had risen from about 5,000 when President Bola Tinubu assumed office to almost 12,000 currently.

He said the government’s target was to increase annual medical admissions to about 20,000 within the next three years.

Alausa also revealed that nursing enrolment had increased from about 38,000 three years ago to more than 120,000 students across nursing schools nationwide.

He said the simulation centres would help ensure that the growing number of healthcare students received adequate practical training.

The minister said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and improve the quality of professional training.

The move comes amid concerns over the migration of Nigerian doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

Alausa said the government remained committed to providing quality education and developing the workforce needed to meet Nigeria’s future healthcare needs.