The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has hailed the listing of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board portal, paving the way for the institution’s pioneer intake of 100 cadets for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The development brings the tri-service military medical institution into Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system, with plans to train doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for the Armed Forces.
Matawalle’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
The college, located in Yaba, Lagos, will combine medical education with military training to prepare qualified Nigerians for professional careers and service in the Armed Forces.
The minister described the development as a milestone for the Ministry of Defence and a dividend of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is an important milestone for the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. Under the leadership of Mr President, we are taking a practical step towards building the medical expertise our Armed Forces need,” Matawalle was quoted as saying.
He added, “AFCOM-HS will give talented young Nigerians the opportunity to train as healthcare professionals and develop as military officers.”
The institution has secured approval from the National Universities Commission for its Medicine and Surgery and Nursing Science programmes.
Matawalle said the college would address the Armed Forces’ longstanding need for a reliable supply of doctors, nurses and other military health professionals.
“The health of our personnel is central to military readiness. By investing in those who will care for them, we strengthen the Services and provide a foundation for future specialist training, research and operational medicine,” he said.
The college is situated within the premises of the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, and is surrounded by teaching hospitals, specialist medical facilities and academic institutions expected to support clinical training.
Matawalle commended the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa; the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; and the Armed Forces leadership for their contributions to the project.
He also praised the Director-General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, and the relevant regulatory authorities for their roles in advancing the institution.
The minister urged eligible young Nigerians to obtain information about the pioneer admission process through official AFCOM-HS and JAMB channels.
Details of eligibility, application procedures, military selection requirements and admission dates will be announced through authorised channels, the statement added.