President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Enugu’s Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy into a full-fledged University of Allied Health Sciences, in an effort to boost human resources in the health and social welfare sectors.
According to a statement issued by the President’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, the move demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to improving healthcare facilities and capability across Nigeria.
The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy in Enugu will now be known as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, and will be managed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, according to a presidential mandate.
The conversion aligns with Tinubu’s broader vision, particularly as he concurrently serves as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health.
It comes amid plans to train 120,000 frontline health professionals across the country in 16 months and to quadruple the number of primary health centres in local communities across all local government areas from 8,800 to more than 17,000 in the next three years.
Furthermore, the plan intends to double the number of health professionals graduating from authorised nursing and midwifery schools during the same time period, in an effort to fulfil the nation’s growing demand for accessible, cheap, and high-quality healthcare services.