In a major stride towards addressing the country’s persistent healthcare personnel shortage, the Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the annual enrollment quota for nursing students in Nigeria. The intake figure has jumped from 28,000 to a record-breaking 115,000, marking a monumental policy shift aimed at mitigating the effects of brain drain and bolstering the nation’s medical workforce.
This development was announced on Monday in a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Education. The ministry revealed that the decision to expand enrollment aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader commitment to revitalising both the healthcare and education sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, who provided further insight into the move, credited the successful implementation to the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders. These include professional bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, industry experts, teaching hospitals, and institutions that provide nursing education across the country. He noted that this historic expansion signifies a transformational moment in Nigeria’s approach to healthcare training.
Dr. Alausa explained that the enrollment increase is not only a strategic response to local demands but also positions Nigeria to contribute more meaningfully to the global health workforce. “The increased enrollment represents a significant capacity signing and a transformative era for nursing education in Nigeria, positioning the country to meet both domestic and international demands for trained healthcare professionals,” he was quoted as saying.
Providing a timeline of progress, the minister highlighted that prior to the current administration’s assumption of office on May 28, 2023, the annual intake stood at just 28,000 students. However, through targeted interventions and presidential backing, that number has now climbed to an unprecedented 115,000. “It is a groundbreaking leap for Nigeria’s healthcare and education sectors,” he stated.
According to the statement, the Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare, led by Dr. Alausa and Professor Muhammad Ali Pate respectively, worked jointly to actualise the target. The original benchmark set by the administration was 110,000 nursing students per annum, but the current achievement of 115,000 surpasses expectations and reflects the government’s proactive stance on workforce development.
With this development, the Federal Government signals a new era in the training and deployment of nurses nationwide, reaffirming its resolve to strengthen the backbone of Nigeria’s healthcare system while expanding educational opportunities for aspiring medical professionals.
