By Hassan Hussain | April 26, 2026
The Director of Advancement at Kaduna State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi, Dr. Abdul Gali, has urged proprietors of private health institutions in Nigeria to strengthen the quality of healthcare training through strict adherence to standards and improved institutional practices.
Dr. Gali spoke in Abuja while presenting a paper at the Conference and Inauguration of the National Executive Council of the Association of Proprietors of Private Colleges of Health Sciences and Technology in Nigeria (APPCOHEST).
Delivering a paper on strengthening the training of healthcare personnel, particularly in private institutions, Dr. Gali emphasized the critical role of proprietors in producing competent healthcare professionals.
He said the paper highlighted the responsibilities of private college owners, stressing the need for effective administration, sound scientific training, and the integration of technology in healthcare education.
According to him, the lecture also examined challenges confronting both the profession and the business of private health education, while outlining practical solutions to address them.
Dr. Gali noted that, contrary to concerns about the absence of laws guiding private institutions, Nigeria has adequate regulatory frameworks in place. He identified weak enforcement as the major setback affecting the sector.
He listed regulatory bodies such as the National Board for Technical Education and the National Universities Commission, alongside other professional organizations, as institutions mandated to oversee and regulate training standards.
“The issue is not the absence of laws, but poor enforcement of existing regulations, which remains a major challenge in Nigeria,” he said.
Dr. Gali urged stakeholders to collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance, improve training quality, and ultimately strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Also speaking, the National Financial Secretary of the Association of Private Colleges of Health Proprietors of Nigeria (APC-HPN), Dr. Yakubu El-Hassan, outlined strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening private health institutions and improving standards across the sector. He explained that his administration would prioritize financial inclusion for member institutions, particularly smaller colleges struggling with funding challenges.
According to him, plans are underway to establish a microfinance bank that would provide soft loans to less financially stable colleges to upgrade their facilities and meet accreditation requirements.
The National Financial Secretary also disclosed plans to introduce a cooperative society within the association to enable proprietors to access financial support and collaborate effectively.
Dr. El-Hassan emphasized the importance of synergy among proprietors, noting that stronger institutions should support emerging ones rather than engage in unhealthy rivalry.
“We want to create a system where established colleges mentor and support upcoming ones financially and technically, instead of working against them,” he said.
On standards, he stressed the need to address quack practices within the sector through collaboration with regulatory bodies and the FCT Department of Higher Education.
He clarified that while institutions are approved by the relevant education authorities, accreditation is course-specific and granted by professional regulatory councils.
Dr. El-Hassan warned that institutions operating without proper approval or accreditation would first be sensitized and advised, but persistent defaulters would be reported to appropriate authorities for enforcement.
“We will encourage compliance, but where necessary, we will work with regulatory agencies to clamp down on illegal operations,” he added.
Declaring the ceremony open, the National President of the Association of Proprietors of Private Colleges of Health Sciences and Technologies in Nigeria, Professor Elijah Tola, called for unity and collaboration among stakeholders to enhance standards and improve healthcare delivery across the country.
He described the event as a milestone in the effort to formally unite private health training institutions under a common platform recognized by law.
He explained that the association, now duly registered, would serve as a coordinating body to promote quality, innovation and sustainable development in private health education in Nigeria.
According to him, the theme of the gathering, “Enhancing the Quality and Standard of Private Health Institutions for Sustainable Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria,” reflects a shared commitment to raising the bar in the sector.
Professor Tola stressed that the vision of improved healthcare training cannot be achieved in isolation, urging members to embrace cooperation rather than competition.
The association’s president also encouraged members to see themselves as partners working towards a common goal, adding that leadership within the body should be guided by service, mutual respect and a shared vision.
In his remarks, the Registrar of the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, Associate Professor Bashir Idris, represented by Judith Ewah, described the inauguration as the beginning of a new era for private colleges of health in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that a united front would bring about significant transformation in the sector.
He noted that the strength of the association lies in its collective resolve to share knowledge, build capacity and drive reforms that will shape the future of healthcare institutions and practitioners in the country.
Stakeholders at the event reiterated the need for synergy and adherence to standards to ensure quality healthcare training across Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony also featured the swearing-in of the FCT Chapter Chairman of the association, alongside other key officials.
