TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono says Nigeria can cut medical tourism by expanding medical training, improving facilities, and strengthening tertiary institutions
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to reduce medical tourism by enhancing healthcare training and facilities across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono noted that improving the training of healthcare professionals and expanding the capacity of teaching hospitals are key strategies to keep Nigerians from seeking treatment abroad.
“Only about a week ago, I had extensive conversations with the Minister of Education. One of the directives from Mr. President was to see how we can reverse medical tourism in the country,” Echono said.
He explained that TETFund is extending support beyond university faculties of medicine to teaching hospitals, ensuring students have accommodation during clinical training and access to modern medical equipment.
Echono also stressed the need to strengthen the entire healthcare workforce, not just doctors.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended TETFund’s interventions in tertiary education and aviation-related training, highlighting the impact on the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Aneke requested support for the Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine to train personnel for both military and civilian needs.
Medical tourism remains a challenge in Nigeria, driven by gaps in healthcare infrastructure, limited specialised equipment, and a persistent brain drain of medical professionals.
The TYO 2026 National Competition concluded with an impressive showcase of oratory, critical thinking, and a compelling demonstration of the skills developed by participants during a four-day intensive boot camp. The programme commenced on Monday, April 27, with semifinals held on April 29 and the finals on April 30, 2026.
The final event was marked by an emotional moment as the winner was announced to an enthusiastic reception from the audience. Participants were evaluated on key competencies including reasoning, content, structure, audibility, and audience engagement. The competition stood as a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when young minds are given the opportunity and space for intentional development.
TYO is a communications platform and an expression of the Peat Philips Foundation, committed to instilling leadership, communication, and public speaking skills in young people. The initiative focuses on building strong character and empowering participants to embody the change they seek, not only through words but through aligned actions.
The boot camp incorporated multiple dimensions of learning, including structure, intent, goal-setting, character development, reasoning and effective audience engagement. These components provided participants with the opportunity to refine their speaking abilities while unlearning habits that no longer serve their growth. The experience also fostered peer learning, as participants engaged closely with other qualified individuals within the programme.
Beyond the competition, TYO serves as a broader platform dedicated to developing young people into confident communicators and ambassadors of their communities and country. The competition itself is one of several initiatives aimed at preparing a Nigerian representative for the International Public Speaking Competition scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom in July this year.
Looking ahead, preparations are already underway for the 2027 edition of the TYO Boot Camp. The organisers express hope for continued and increased support from sponsors and partners to sustain and expand the programme. This support is essential to reaching more young people and strengthening a critical area of development, not only for Nigeria but for the African continent at large.
For partnership and sponsorship inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to connect with the organisers to support the mission of raising a generation equipped to serve and lead effectively. Contact: 08071825959, peatphilipsfoundation@gmail.com.