The Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS), Lagos, has been listed on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board portal, paving the way for the admission of its first 100 cadets for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The listing brings the tri-service military medical institution into Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system as it prepares to train doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for service in the Armed Forces.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, welcomed the development, describing it as a step towards strengthening the military’s capacity to provide medical care for personnel.
His Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
Matawalle said the college would provide young Nigerians with an opportunity to combine professional healthcare training with military education.
“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,” he said.
He added that the institution would help develop healthcare professionals who could also serve as military officers.
The college has secured approval from the National Universities Commission for its Medicine and Surgery and Nursing Science programmes.
According to Matawalle, the institution is expected to help address the Armed Forces’ long-standing need for a dependable pipeline of doctors, nurses and other military medical personnel.
“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.
Located within the premises of the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, AFCOM-HS is positioned to draw on nearby teaching hospitals, specialist medical facilities and academic institutions to support clinical training.
Matawalle described the JAMB listing as a milestone for the Ministry of Defence and an outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He commended the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Armed Forces leadership and regulatory authorities for their contributions to the establishment of the college.
The minister also acknowledged the work of the Director-General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, in advancing the project.
Prospective applicants have been advised to monitor official AFCOM-HS and JAMB channels for information on admission requirements, application procedures, military selection processes and relevant dates.
The planned intake of 100 cadets marks the institution’s first admission exercise for the 2026/2027 academic session.
