By Mercy Joseph, Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has emphasised that enhancing medical training and upgrading healthcare facilities in Nigeria could significantly curb the country’s reliance on medical tourism
Echono stated this in Abuja on Tuesday when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force on a courtesy visit to the TETFund headquarters.
He explained that the Federal Government had already directed efforts towards improving the training of healthcare professionals and strengthening medical facilities across tertiary institutions.
“Only about a week ago, I had extensive discussions with the Minister of Education. 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 Executive Secretary noted that TETFund was expanding its support beyond university faculties of medicine to teaching hospitals, 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 hospitals. We are also providing medical equipment across the board,” he said.
Echono added that strengthening the entire healthcare workforce, not just doctors, was essential to building a system capable of meeting the country’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,” he said.
He also commended the role of the Nigerian Air Force in national development, noting that the military had made notable contributions to education and healthcare delivery. He added that the Air Force Institute of Technology had already benefited from several TETFund interventions.
“AFIT is a direct beneficiary of TETFund, and some of your requests have already been captured in this year’s intervention for AFIT, including staff accommodation. The issue of perimeter 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 aimed at strengthening 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 improving the learning environment in Nigerian tertiary institutions through expanded hostel accommodation and stronger research infrastructure.
According to him, TETFund interventions in infrastructure and training are designed not only to improve the quality of education but also to position Nigerian institutions to compete globally and attract international students.
Earlier, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended TETFund for its sustained interventions in tertiary education, particularly its support for 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 to express appreciation for the agency’s support and to 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.”
