By Adeola Kunle
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has welcomed the inclusion of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS) on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal for the 2026/2027 academic session, describing the development as an important step towards expanding specialised medical education in Nigeria.
According to the Minister, the development aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which seek to transform the education sector and strengthen its contribution to national development.
Established to improve healthcare delivery within the military, develop specialised medical personnel and support national security, AFCOM-HS is a pioneering institution designed to train military cadets in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing and other related medical disciplines from the outset. It is the first institution of its kind in Nigeria and potentially one of the few medical schools of its nature on the African continent.
Dr. Alausa explained that the College would provide specialised education and professional training for doctors, nurses and other healthcare practitioners required to address critical manpower needs while improving medical services for members of the Armed Forces.
Situated within the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, AFCOM-HS has obtained approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer Medicine and Surgery, leading to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), as well as Nursing Science, leading to the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) degree.
With these approvals secured and its listing on the JAMB portal completed, the College is preparing to admit its first cohort of 100 pioneer cadets.
The Minister noted that the institution would combine medical education with military officer training, equipping cadets with the clinical expertise, professional ethics and leadership capabilities required to deliver effective healthcare services to military personnel and contribute to Nigeria’s broader health security objectives.
He added that the College represents an important investment in building a specialised workforce capable of responding to the unique healthcare demands of the Armed Forces while supporting the country's long-term medical manpower development.
Dr. Alausa commended the Minister of Defence, Lt. General Chris Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, for their contributions to the establishment of the institution.
He also acknowledged the Armed Forces leadership, the Technical Working Group chaired by Brigadier General Dr. Idris Babatunde Solebo, the National Universities Commission, JAMB and the relevant professional regulatory authorities for their roles in advancing the College to this stage.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to maintaining effective academic supervision, quality assurance and collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that AFCOM-HS operates in accordance with established standards for higher education and professional training.
Prospective applicants have been advised to consult the official AFCOM-HS and JAMB communication channels for verified information on admission eligibility, application procedures, military selection requirements and admission timelines.
The planned admission of the 100 pioneer cadets marks a significant stage in the development of AFCOM-HS and the Federal Government’s efforts to expand specialised medical training, strengthen military healthcare services and build the professional capacity required to support national security.
Adeola Kunle
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