President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for its initiative to provide medical and nursing books to tertiary health institutions across Nigeria.
The foundation established a by Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Emeka Offor has embarked on the initiative following a request from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The programme is focused on strengthening access to up-to-date educational materials for students, researchers and professionals in Nigeria’s health sector.
As part of the initiative, the foundation facilitated the procurement and shipment of 10 containers containing current medical and nursing textbooks and journals from the United States to Nigeria.
The materials are expected to be distributed to tertiary medical institutions across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The distribution is intended to improve access to academic resources and support medical education and research.
The availability of current textbooks and professional journals is considered important to the training of healthcare professionals. Medical education requires access to updated information as students and practitioners study developments in healthcare, clinical practice and research.
Tinubu’s commendation was contained in a statement issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the statement, the President described the foundation’s intervention as a significant contribution to medical education and academic development in Nigeria.
Tinubu said the donation would expand the learning resources available to students and professionals within the health sector. He also noted its potential to strengthen institutional capacity in tertiary health institutions.
The President expressed appreciation to Offor for supporting initiatives connected to education, healthcare and human capital development.
Offor, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Chrome Group, has been involved in philanthropic activities aimed at supporting communities and institutions in different areas of development.
The latest intervention places particular emphasis on the educational side of healthcare development. Rather than focusing solely on the provision of medical equipment or direct healthcare services, the programme seeks to strengthen the academic resources available to those being trained within the medical profession.
The foundation’s decision to source the materials from the United States was part of the process of securing current medical and nursing textbooks and journals for distribution in Nigeria.
The 10 containers of materials are expected to reach institutions located across the six geopolitical zones, giving tertiary medical institutions in different parts of the country access to the donated resources.
For medical students, access to relevant textbooks and journals can provide additional academic material alongside lectures, practical training and other institutional resources.
The initiative is also expected to support researchers and healthcare professionals who rely on current academic literature to improve their knowledge and remain informed about developments within their respective fields.
Tinubu’s remarks highlighted the connection between quality health education and the broader development of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Strengthening the institutions responsible for training medical professionals can contribute to the development of a skilled health workforce.
The President encouraged Offor to continue supporting initiatives that contribute to national development. He specifically highlighted the importance of efforts aimed at improving access to quality education and healthcare services.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s involvement in initiating the programme also reflects the importance attached to strengthening educational resources within Nigeria’s health institutions.
The distribution of the books across the country is expected to benefit institutions beyond a single region, with the six geopolitical zones included in the planned distribution.
The foundation’s intervention comes within a wider need for sustained investment in human capital development. Medical education requires continuous access to learning materials, particularly as knowledge and professional practices evolve.
Updated academic resources can assist students and professionals in accessing current information, while medical journals can provide researchers and practitioners with access to new findings and developments in healthcare.
The programme therefore combines philanthropy with institutional support by directing educational materials toward tertiary institutions responsible for training future healthcare professionals.
For the participating institutions, the donated materials could supplement existing library collections and other educational resources. The extent of the impact will depend on how effectively the books and journals are distributed and made accessible to students, researchers and professionals.
The President’s commendation has drawn national attention to the foundation’s contribution and the role of private philanthropy in supporting public institutions.
Tinubu also encouraged continued collaboration between philanthropists and institutions working in areas such as healthcare and education. Such partnerships can provide additional resources for sectors that require sustained investment and capacity building.
The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation’s medical book initiative is ultimately aimed at improving access to educational resources within Nigeria’s tertiary health institutions. With 10 containers of medical and nursing textbooks and journals scheduled for distribution nationwide, the programme is expected to support academic learning and research across the six geopolitical zones.
The initiative has been welcomed by the President as a contribution to healthcare education and human capital development, while the foundation has been encouraged to sustain its philanthropic support for initiatives capable of improving education and healthcare in Nigeria.
