The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has emphasized that Nigeria can significantly cut down on medical tourism by enhancing medical training, upgrading healthcare facilities, and increasing the capacity of tertiary institutions.
Echono made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja, when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force on a courtesy visit to TETFund’s headquarters.
He explained that the Federal Government has already initiated measures to improve the training of healthcare professionals and strengthen medical facilities across tertiary institutions.
“Only about a week ago, I had extensive conversations with the Minister of Education. As we thrive, Mr. President has been very supportive, and one of the directives he gave us was to see how we can reverse medical tourism in the country.
“We should significantly improve the facilities available, not only for the teaching of the four core medical courses—medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry—but also for the provision of healthcare for our teeming population,” Echono said.
The ES highlighted that TETFund is expanding support beyond university medical faculties to include teaching hospitals, aiming to improve clinical training and the quality of healthcare services.
“That is why we are not only focusing on our faculties of medicine; we are extending the same support to teaching hospitals as well. When our students go for their clinical training, they will have accommodation within those teaching hospitals. We are also providing medical equipment across the board,” he said.
Echono added that developing the entire healthcare workforce, not just doctors, is key to creating a system capable of meeting Nigeria’s medical needs.
“Our conversation centred on the structure of the healthcare system. At the top of the pyramid, we have medical doctors, but others provide critical support services. The question is how we can significantly increase the numbers in those relevant supporting fields,” the ES said.
He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for its contributions to national development, particularly in education and healthcare delivery.
“AFIT is a direct beneficiary of TETFund, and some of your pleas had already been captured in this year’s intervention for AFIT, including staff accommodation. The issue of the parameter fencing has also been scheduled to commence this year, although it will be done in phases because the institution is very large and expensive. The commander was here earlier to discuss it,” Echono said.
Responding to a request for support in aviation medicine, Echono said he would present the proposal to the TETFund Board of Trustees under ongoing federal initiatives to strengthen medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
“So I pledge to you that I will make a special case to the Board of Trustees under the presidential initiative on providing equipment and facilities for medical establishments and related fields,” he said.
He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to enhancing the learning environment in Nigerian tertiary institutions through expanded hostel accommodation and stronger research infrastructure.
According to Echono, TETFund interventions in infrastructure and training aim not only to improve the quality of education but also to position Nigerian institutions globally and attract international students.
Earlier, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke praised TETFund for its consistent support to tertiary education, especially the Air Force Institute of Technology.
“For the Nigerian Air Force, TETFund has remained a long-standing strategic partner. Over the years, the fund’s interventions in the Air Force Institute of Technology have been truly remarkable and impactful.
“Indeed, the support received from TETFund has significantly enhanced the institute’s ability to deliver on its mandate as the Nigerian Air Force’s premier technical training institution and to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Aneke said.
The Air Chief explained that the visit was intended to show appreciation for the agency’s support and explore further collaboration, particularly in medical training.
“Today, the institute, which has been around for over 48 years, has become one of the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in Nigeria for aviation-related studies, owing to its reputation for academic excellence, strict discipline, and zero tolerance for strikes. Thanks to TETFund for the support. When you have the equipment you need to work, instructors, lecturers, and students are happy. There is definitely no need for a strike.”
He also appealed for TETFund’s assistance for the Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine, noting that the institution plays a vital role in training healthcare personnel for both military and civilian purposes.
“I want to make a personal appeal for your intervention in the School of Aviation Medicine. The school will not only cater to the Nigerian Air Force but will also serve our civilian counterparts,” Aneke said.
He added that strengthening such institutions would help build a skilled healthcare workforce to support Nigeria’s system and reduce reliance on treatment abroad.
Nigeria has long faced significant medical tourism, as many affluent citizens, including political leaders and public officials, travel overseas for treatment due to gaps in healthcare infrastructure, limited specialised equipment, and shortages of skilled medical personnel.
The country also faces a persistent brain drain, with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals migrating to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States for better training, working conditions, and pay. This trend has strained local hospitals and medical training institutions, limiting their capacity to provide advanced care for a growing population.
