By Adeola Kunle
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has urged Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to introduce and prioritise degree programmes that address critical manpower shortages, respond to evolving societal needs and prepare graduates for specialised professional practice and employment.
Dr Alausa identified Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology and Medical Social Work as key areas requiring increased investment in university-level training. He explained that expanding academic opportunities in these disciplines would help address shortages of specialised healthcare and social service professionals while opening up new career prospects for young Nigerians.
The Minister also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing Autism Centres across the six geopolitical zones to improve access to specialised care, professional support and essential services for persons on the autism spectrum and their families.
He emphasised that Nigerian universities must ensure their academic programmes reflect the country’s workforce requirements and the increasing demand for specialised professional services. According to him, developing these fields will strengthen local expertise, reduce dependence on limited specialist services and build a competent workforce capable of meeting the needs of the population.
The proposed Autism Centres are expected to provide improved access to diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and research. They will also serve as regional resource hubs for families, healthcare practitioners and educational institutions, promoting greater collaboration in supporting persons with autism and related developmental conditions.
The initiative underscores the Federal Government’s determination to expand local capacity, improve access to specialised services and strengthen support systems for affected individuals and their families.
Dr Alausa commended the Chairman of the Federal Government Committee on the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, Dr Victoria Amu, for her dedication, commitment and passion for advancing the development of these professional fields.
He urged Vice-Chancellors and other university administrators to collaborate with Dr Amu, relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies to facilitate the establishment of the proposed degree programmes. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the courses meet the required academic and professional standards.
The Minister assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would sustain reforms aimed at expanding access to relevant education, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting skills development in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He further reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a responsive and inclusive higher education system that equips Nigerians with relevant competencies, addresses critical workforce shortages and improves access to essential specialised services.
The proposed degree programmes and Autism Centres form part of the Federal Government’s broader human capital development agenda, which seeks to improve service delivery, strengthen professional capacity and ensure that Nigeria’s education system remains responsive to national priorities and the needs of its citizens.
Adeola Kunle
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