Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to expand specialised degree programmes in critical healthcare fields, including audiology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology and medical social work, to address manpower shortages and improve access to essential services.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, stressing the need for universities to align their academic programmes with Nigeria’s evolving healthcare needs and employment opportunities.
Alausa said expanding training in the specialised fields would strengthen the country’s capacity to provide essential healthcare and social services while equipping young Nigerians with professional skills needed to meet growing societal demands.
He noted that inadequate manpower in these areas had created gaps in specialised care, making it necessary for universities to introduce programmes that would produce qualified professionals to serve individuals and families requiring such services.
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to establish autism centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to improve access to diagnosis, therapeutic services, research and support for persons on the autism spectrum.
According to him, the proposed centres are expected to serve as regional hubs for families, healthcare professionals and educational institutions, strengthening support systems for persons with autism and related developmental conditions.
Alausa emphasised that the development of specialised academic programmes and autism centres would contribute to building a skilled workforce, improving service delivery and reducing the need to seek certain specialised services outside the country.
He commended the Chairman of the Federal Government Committee on the Advancement of Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dr Victoria Amu, for her dedication and efforts towards advancing the specialised fields.
The minister urged vice-chancellors and university administrators to collaborate with Amu, relevant regulatory agencies and professional bodies to facilitate the establishment of the proposed programmes and ensure that training meets required academic and professional standards.
He added that the Federal Government would continue to implement reforms aimed at expanding access to relevant education, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting skills development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to align Nigeria’s higher education system with national development priorities while addressing critical workforce gaps and improving access to specialised healthcare services.
