The Federal Government has pledged to sponsor qualified medical professionals for specialised training at the newly inaugurated RHV RoboMed Academy Robotics and Advanced Surgery Training Centre in Ogun State.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the sponsorship during the inauguration of the centre at Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV), along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on October 22.

The academy, established by RHV and RoboMed Global, with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and Redeemer’s University as academic partners, is designed to train Nigerian surgeons and clinical teams in robotic and advanced surgery without requiring them to travel abroad.

Alausa said the initiative would expand access to advanced medical training and strengthen local capacity in specialised healthcare.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had invested approximately N250 billion in medical education over the past two years, adding that annual enrolment in medical schools was expected to increase by 400 per cent to 20,000 within the next two years.

The minister also said annual enrolment in nursing schools had reached 150,000, surpassing the administration’s target of 115,000.

He announced that qualified professionals would receive sponsorship through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with the academy becoming the 29th institution approved under the fund’s local scholarship scheme.

The scheme currently includes 28 institutions, according to the minister, who also acknowledged the contributions of Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to the initiative.

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, expressed support for the project and called for more training institutions and technology-driven healthcare initiatives across the states.

The Chief Executive Officer of RHV, Dr. Adedamola Dada, said the academy aimed to train 400 robotic surgery specialists and surgeons within two years.

He said its programmes would cover urology, general surgery and gynaecology, alongside specialised training for theatre personnel, biomedical engineers and hospital administrators.

Dada disclosed that two robotic surgical systems valued at $4 million had been acquired for clinical procedures and training.

Under the partnership, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria will oversee the postgraduate fellowship diploma and certify surgeons, while Redeemer’s University will train nurses, biomedical engineers and other technical personnel.

The four institutions signed a memorandum of understanding at the inauguration to establish the framework for collaboration in developing the academy’s training programmes. Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, witnessed the signing.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of RoboMed Global, Professor Obi Davies-Ekwenna, said the training would combine simulation, structured assessment of surgeons’ experience, supervised clinical practice and carefully selected patients.

He said the programme would also incorporate aviation safety principles, with emphasis on teamwork and communication.

“The goal is to train the entire ecosystem, not just surgeons alone,” Davies-Ekwenna said.

The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Professor Shadrach Akindele, said robotic surgery offered greater precision and advanced training opportunities but stressed that technology must remain focused on patient welfare.

He called for rigorous training, ethical practice, research and international collaboration to position West Africa as a centre of excellence in advanced surgery.

The President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Dr. Anthony Ikefuna, said the academy would expand specialist training, support digital healthcare and help reduce medical tourism.

At the launch, guests observed a live training demonstration led by Dr. Iyore James and Dr. Adam Gyimadu. The minister also operated the surgeon console during a live telesurgery demonstration, receiving remote guidance from Grace Isaac, a biomedical engineer at RoboMed, in Abuja.