The Federal Government has announced a major increase in annual nursing student enrollment, raising the figure from 28,000 to 115,000, as part of efforts to bridge the widening healthcare workforce gap across Nigeria.
The development, disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Education on Sunday, marks a “groundbreaking leap” for the country’s healthcare and education sectors, according to a press statement. The government hailed the move as a critical milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Annual nursing enrollment has surged from 28,000 as of May 28, 2023, to an unprecedented 115,000 due to Mr. President’s initiative,” the Ministry stated.
The enrollment expansion comes in response to a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and midwives. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) recently revealed that over 75,000 nurses have left the country in the past five years seeking better opportunities abroad, driven largely by poor remuneration and unfavorable working conditions.
Michael Nnachi, President of NANNM, noted that the shortage has strained the healthcare system, leaving providers overburdened and threatening the quality of care. Vice President of NANNM, Israel Blessing, also highlighted a pressing deficit of approximately 30,000 midwives nationwide, with northern Nigeria being the most affected.
The Ministry attributed the achievement to the government’s prioritization of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education. It credited the Federal Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare, led by Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa and Professor Muhammad Ali Pate respectively, for spearheading the initiative.
Initially targeting 110,000 enrollments, the collaboration between ministries, industry stakeholders, nursing institutions, and regulatory bodies pushed the figure beyond expectations to 115,000.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa, and his counterparts have been instrumental in driving this expansion, with strong support from teaching hospitals and the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery,” the statement noted.
The Federal Government emphasized that the expanded enrollment capacity is intended not only to address local healthcare needs but also to better position Nigeria to supply trained healthcare professionals internationally.
Meanwhile, the shortage of medical personnel remains acute, particularly in Lagos State. Recently, Lagos officials disclosed a gap of 33,000 doctors and 33,000 nurses needed to adequately serve its estimated 30 million residents.
In a related effort to curb the brain drain, the federal government has introduced restrictions on leave of absence for healthcare workers planning to emigrate. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that this policy aims to prevent scenarios where professionals relocate abroad while remaining on the Nigerian government’s payroll.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to revitalizing the healthcare and education sectors, pledging to continue strategic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda to protect and enhance the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
