The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has witnessed the official launch of Empower Academy Nigeria in Abuja, describing it as a strategic national platform to accelerate skills development and unlock Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.
The Academy, unveiled as a phased programme beginning with a digital learning platform, will expand into hybrid innovation hubs and permanent world-class training centres in partnership with universities and research institutions.
Prof. Pate said the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) to reposition Nigeria as a manufacturing hub while creating quality jobs for young Nigerians.
He emphasized that Empower Academy Nigeria directly addresses the country’s critical gap in industry-ready professionals, especially in pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences.
According to the Minister, while many Nigerians possess academic qualifications, there remains a shortage of practical “how-to” skills needed for regulated manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory science.
The Academy is designed to bridge this gap by combining classroom learning, laboratory practice, mentorship, and factory-style training, equipping young people with both technical competence and purpose, while strengthening local production and global competitiveness.
Also speaking at the event, PVAC National Coordinator, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, announced that the Academy’s courses will be offered free to qualified Nigerians for the next two years, adding that the curriculum is designed to be practical, realistic, and industry-driven.
He called on private sector players and academic institutions to actively collaborate with the Academy to ensure learners gain real-world, hands-on experience.
Prof. Pate commended the National Coordinator of PVAC, the entire PVAC team, Empower School of Health, Prof. Paul Lalvani, and all partners for bringing the vision to life.
He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the leadership and policy direction that made the initiative possible, noting that Empower Academy represents a growing narrative of innovation, hope, and opportunity in Nigeria.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding access for young talents nationwide, saying the programme marks a major step toward building a resilient healthcare workforce and a stronger Nigerian economy.
