FG offers scholarships as RHV plans to train 400 robotic specialists

File photo: Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, supervising signing of a four-party Memorandum of Understanding between RHV, RoboMed and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria during the flag-off of RHV-RoboMed Robotic Academy.

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to offer scholarships to medical students as part of efforts to develop local expertise in robotic surgery after the Redeemers Health Village–RoboMed Robotic Academy says it would train 400 robotic specialists within two years in Nigeria.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for advanced surgical procedures and reducing reliance on foreign expertise for specialised medical care.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the government plans during the grand opening of the RHV–ROBOMED Robotic Academy, Redemption City,  Ogun State.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the academy would ensure the country has a new generation of surgeons.

He said, “This occasion speaks directly to our responsibility to prepare Nigerians for the future of medicine and to build the capacity that will allow advanced clinical practice to flourish here at home.

“It is my belief that today will be remembered as a turning point in Nigerian medical practice. We are not gathered here merely to cut a ribbon or unveil something beautiful.

We are gathered here to open a door. A door through which a new generation of Nigerian surgeons will walk into the future of their profession without having to leave their homeland to do so.”

The minister said that the academy, being the first of its kind in Nigeria, would be a place where Nigerian surgeons can train in robotic and robot-assisted surgery here at home, within Nigerian institutions.

Responding to a request from the academy for government support in the form of scholarships for doctors, medical students and other specialists interested in robotic surgery, Alausa said:

“Now, let me come to the request. Honestly, you don’t even need to ask. You will get more than a scholarship. You have carefully created a partnership that is ready for the government to really support you. So, what we are going to do is make this part of the TETFund-funded Centre of Excellence.

“I am going to move this forward quickly. I will arrange for you to meet with the Director of Academic Programmes at TETFund so that we can move quickly and make this a partnership involving this academy and Redeemer’s University.

“So, any student who is going to participate will be fully funded by TETFund. I am not standing before you here to act as a politician. This is what we have to do and what will happen.”

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The minister said the scholarship was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for medical education in Nigeria, adding that the government has spent over N250bn in the last two years to prepare medical professionals to respond to Nigerian needs and practise confidently in an environment shaped by scientific and technological advancements.

Commending RHV-RoboMed partnership, Alausa maintained that the academy would contribute to laying a solid foundation for specialist training in Nigeria.

“Advanced equipment becomes valuable when skilled professionals can use it competently, teach others and apply it responsibly in the service of patients,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of RHV, Dr Adedamola Dada, said the partnership forming the academy had been carefully curated to ensure the initiative achieves the desired objective.

He noted that the RHV-RoboMed robotic academy would just be churning out certificates, but have put plans in place to ensure enrollees get proper training certified by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“What we have designed is a proper robotic surgery programme. RHV and RoboMed have brought in two robots, and the value of those robots is about $4m. One of the robots will be used for surgical services, while the second robot will be used for training.

This shows the commitment on our part. It is going to be a postgraduate, post-fellowship diploma programme. The certificates will be issued to the surgeons by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. When the certificates are awarded and certified by the College, then people can be assured that they are internationally certified,” Dada said.

The RHV CEO explained that training is inclusive for all actors in the robotic surgery ecosystem, adding that not only surgeons would be trained.

Dada said. “So, our target is to produce 400 specialists in robotic surgery for the country over the next two years. These will include surgeons in urology, general surgery and gynaecology, as well as operating-room theatre personnel, biomedical engineers, product specialists and administrators.

“The idea is that, when we produce these people, we will deploy them around the country. The aim is for every part of this country to be able to conduct robotic surgery.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of RoboMed Global, Prof. Obi Davies-Ekwenna, said the academy was established to develop the specialist expertise required to sustain and expand robotic surgery and other advanced medical technologies.

Davies-Ekwenna said the academy would equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills required to deliver precise, minimally invasive surgical care and contribute to the advancement of surgical excellence in Nigeria and beyond.