The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has described the launch of the Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) RoboMed Robotics Academy as a major step towards preparing Nigerian doctors for the future of healthcare under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa made this statement during the launch of the academy and its Robotic Surgery Programme at Redemption City in Ogun State. He said the initiative would provide Nigerian surgeons with access to advanced specialist training within the country, strengthen local expertise and reduce the need for medical professionals to travel abroad to acquire such skills.
The minister commended President Tinubu for his administration’s support for education and medical training. He disclosed that more than ₦250 billion had been invested in medical education, including the establishment of simulation laboratories and the rehabilitation of facilities, such as hostels, in more than 24 medical schools across the country.
According to him, government investments alone cannot meet the country’s educational and healthcare needs, stressing the importance of private-sector participation and contributions from Nigerians in the diaspora.
Alausa described the RoboMed Robotics Academy as a good example of collaboration among private enterprises, educational institutions and clinical professionals.
He called for stronger partnerships between universities, teaching hospitals and professional medical organisations to promote practical training, research and faculty development.
The minister also highlighted the Ministry of Education’s BRIDGE programme, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is designed to enable Nigerians living abroad to contribute to the country’s educational development through teaching, research and mentorship.
He encouraged Nigerian surgeons and medical educators practising abroad to register on the BRIDGE portal and contribute their expertise to strengthening the country’s medical education system.
Alausa further urged the RoboMed Robotics Academy to collaborate with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and other relevant professional bodies to establish structured training programmes for robotic surgery.
He explained that the programmes should include appropriate approvals, supervised clinical practice and proper assessment, emphasising that patient safety must remain the top priority in the adoption of robotic surgery in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, Dr. Adedamola Dada, said the academy was established to build local capacity in robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical engineering and robotic-assisted healthcare.
Dada explained that the institution would equip students, healthcare professionals, engineers and researchers with internationally competitive skills to meet the changing demands of modern medicine.
He added that the initiative would also support the expansion of minimally invasive surgical care in Nigeria, potentially improving access to advanced treatment options within the country.
The launch featured presentations on training pathways, remarks from academic partners and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding involving Redeemer’s Health Village, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Redeemer’s University and RoboMed Global.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, guests at the event were taken on a tour of the facilities.
They also witnessed demonstrations of robotic surgery and telesurgery simulations. The demonstrations were conducted without the involvement of any patient.
The establishment of the academy is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for advanced medical training and support the development of local expertise in emerging healthcare technologies.
