In a bid to revolutionize the health and life science sector in Nigeria, the Nigerian government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has unveiled plans to establish institutions focusing on this critical area.
This announcement was made on Tuesday during a meeting in Abuja where TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono welcomed a senior delegation from King’s College, London.
Echono emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting King’s College, London, in its partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to establish a medical school in the federal capital.
He highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “It is like a model and they will look up to it, with collaboration and partnership, with joint research programmes, they can also help uplift all the other nascent institutions.”
Dr. Helen Bailey, Deputy Vice President of King’s College, London, also expressed the institution’s dedication to the project, stating, “One of our partner hospitals, King’s College Hospital, is working in partnership with Afriexim Bank to develop an African Medical Centre of Excellence which the hospital is a key component of.”
The collaboration aims to provide modern facilities and set new standards in research, education, and healthcare, addressing the challenges faced by the country.
Dr. Bailey emphasised King’s College’s extensive partnerships with hospitals in Europe, which provide education, training, and research, highlighting the potential for similar impactful collaborations in Nigeria.
The establishment of the Abuja Medical Centre, including a medical school, nursing school, and research centre, is expected to significantly contribute to addressing the issue of brain drain in the country.
Dr. Bailey expressed King’s College’s readiness to work closely with TETFund and other relevant government bodies to achieve this ambitious goal.
With this partnership, Nigeria is poised to witness a transformative shift in its health and life sciences sector, as it leverages the expertise and resources of King’s College, London, to establish world-class institutions that will shape the future of healthcare and research in the country.
