The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has released more than ₦100 billion to selected tertiary institutions nationwide in a move to strengthen medical sciences training and tackle Nigeria’s shortage of healthcare professionals.
Chairman of the TETFUND Governing Board, Aminu Masari, announced the development in Katsina on Saturday, stating that the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reverse the trend of medical professionals leaving the country.
“The President is deeply concerned about the brain drain in the health sector and its impact on the Nigerian healthcare system,” Masari said.
“He is determined to put in place deliberate policies, such as this intervention by TETFUND, to help the system recover.”
According to him, three institutions from each geopolitical zone have been allocated ₦4 billion each to expand facilities and admit more students in medical-related programmes.
“The goal is to double the number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other skilled professionals in the healthcare workforce,” he explained. “This will, without doubt, enhance healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”
Masari disclosed that the ₦100 billion medical sciences funding forms part of TETFUND’s high-impact intervention for 2025.
The Fund’s total allocation for the year is ₦1.6 trillion, the highest since its inception, sourced from the 3% education tax on company profits as stipulated by law.
“Out of this amount, ₦460 billion has been set aside for various interventions across tertiary institutions. The process is demand-driven—institutions submit proposals, and we approve based on their needs and available resources,” he noted.
Additional allocations include ₦225 billion to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for the Federal Government’s student loan programme, ₦70 billion for energy support projects such as solar or gas power generation in campuses, and ₦25 billion for campus security enhancements, including street lighting and related infrastructure.
Masari stressed that all funds will be monitored through a team of consultants to ensure they are used for the intended purposes.
“Our monitoring and evaluation team will be on the ground in all benefiting institutions,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in every project.”
