By Adeola Kunle
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing medical education and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare workforce through specialised training, as the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, inaugurated the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy in Redemption City, Ogun State.
Speaking at the official launch of the Academy and the unveiling of its Robotic Surgery Programme on Thursday, Alausa described the initiative as an important milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in human capital development and the preparation of Nigerian professionals for emerging demands in healthcare.
He said the Academy would expand opportunities for advanced specialist training within the country, enabling Nigerian surgeons to acquire modern surgical skills locally rather than travelling abroad to access such professional development.
According to the Minister, the initiative reflects the need for an education system that equips Nigerians with relevant knowledge, practical competencies and technological expertise to respond effectively to the country’s changing development needs.
Alausa commended President Tinubu for his leadership and continued support for the education sector, emphasising that sustained investment in skills acquisition, institutional development and quality training remains essential to building a prosperous and competitive nation.
The Minister disclosed that more than ₦250 billion had been invested in medical education to improve the capacity of institutions to train professionals capable of meeting Nigeria’s healthcare needs in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
He explained that the investment includes the provision of medical simulation laboratories and the rehabilitation of infrastructure, including student hostels, across more than 24 medical schools nationwide.
However, he stressed that government funding alone would not be sufficient to meet the growing demand for specialised medical training. He called for greater participation by private sector investors and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora to broaden access to advanced learning and improve the quality of medical education and clinical practice.
Alausa identified the RHV RoboMed Robotics Academy as a practical demonstration of how cooperation among private organisations, educational institutions and clinical professionals can transform investments in technology into measurable improvements in human capacity.
He noted that acquiring sophisticated medical equipment would have limited impact unless healthcare professionals were properly trained to operate it safely, competently and responsibly in the interest of patients.
To address this need, he advocated stronger collaboration among universities, teaching hospitals, specialist training centres and private sector organisations. Such partnerships, he said, would promote hands-on learning, joint research, faculty development and exposure to emerging surgical procedures and technologies.
The Minister also drew attention to the Federal Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, an initiative whose name stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement, being implemented in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He explained that BRIDGE provides an organised framework for Nigerians living and working abroad to contribute their professional expertise to national development through teaching, research, mentorship and institutional capacity building.
Alausa encouraged Nigerian surgeons, medical lecturers, researchers and other professionals in the diaspora to register on the Ministry’s BRIDGE portal and support institutions at home through specialist mentoring, curriculum development and collaborative research initiatives.
He further urged the RHV RoboMed Robotics Academy to work with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, relevant professional associations and teaching institutions to establish clearly defined training pathways.
According to him, such programmes should operate with the necessary approvals, supervised clinical practice, appropriate assessment procedures and continuing professional development requirements to ensure that training meets established professional standards.
The Minister emphasised that patient safety must remain the foremost consideration as hospitals and training institutions adopt robotic-assisted surgery. He maintained that technological progress must be accompanied by clinical competence, sound professional judgement, ethical conduct and compassionate patient care.
Addressing surgeons and trainees expected to participate in the programme, Alausa urged them to demonstrate discipline and humility throughout their training, apply their newly acquired skills responsibly and share their knowledge with other professionals.
He observed that access to modern training facilities and meaningful career development opportunities could make professional practice in Nigeria more attractive, while helping the country retain, develop and benefit from its highly skilled workforce.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr. Adedamola Dada, described the establishment of the Robotics Academy and the introduction of the Robotic Surgery Programme as a major investment in medical technology and workforce development in Nigeria.
Dada explained that the initiative would develop local expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical engineering and robotic-assisted healthcare. It would also provide students, healthcare practitioners, engineers and researchers with opportunities to acquire skills that meet international standards.
He added that the programme was designed to improve access to advanced minimally invasive surgical care within Nigeria and strengthen the country’s capacity for innovation in healthcare delivery.
The RHV chief executive expressed appreciation to the Minister, academic partners and other stakeholders for supporting an initiative that brings education, technological advancement and clinical practice together.
Activities at the event included presentations on the Academy’s training pathways and remarks by academic partners. The occasion also featured 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 were subsequently taken on a tour of the training facilities and observed a demonstration of robotic surgery and telesurgery simulation. The demonstration was conducted without the involvement of any patient.
The establishment of the Academy underscores the importance of translating the Renewed Hope Agenda into practical benefits for Nigerians through education, innovation, strategic partnerships and investment in specialised professional skills.
Alausa assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would sustain efforts to encourage productive partnerships among government agencies, private investors, universities, specialist training institutions and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.
He said these collaborations would help widen access to quality training, strengthen institutional capacity and prepare a new generation of highly skilled professionals to contribute to Nigeria’s national development.
Adeola Kunle
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