Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned 13 projects at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), in Bauchi State, as part of efforts to strengthen medical education, research and the training of health professionals in Nigeria.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, announced this on Friday during the commissioning ceremony in Azare, where he said sustained investment in health sciences education was essential to expanding the country’s capacity to produce skilled medical personnel.
The commissioned facilities include laboratories, lecture theatres, student hostels and research centres designed to improve teaching, learning and practical training for future doctors, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical scientists and public health specialists.
Echono commended the university’s governing council, Senate, management and staff for the institution’s progress since its establishment in 2021. He said TETFund had continued to support its development through infrastructure, research facilities and academic investments.
Addressing the migration of Nigerian medical professionals abroad, commonly described as the japa phenomenon, Echono argued that the country should prioritise training more health workers while recognising that professionals working overseas could also contribute through remittances, knowledge transfer and expertise. “What we need to do is to intensify our investment, as we invest to produce more medical and health personnel,” he said.
Echono also disclosed that TETFund’s board had endorsed contracts for eight medical simulation centres nationwide and recommended them to the Federal Executive Council. FUHSA is among the institutions expected to benefit. The projects are scheduled to commence in 2026, with equipment installation planned for 2027, according to the information provided at the ceremony.
Echono said the establishment of specialised federal universities of health sciences followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to strengthen medical research and prepare for future health emergencies.
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Mirian Gom 
