FG raises nursing school admissions from 20,000 to 50,000 annually

The federal government has increased annual admissions into nursing schools across the country from about 20,000 to 50,000 students as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and expand access to health education.

The initiative is part of broader reforms in the education and healthcare sectors, including increased admissions into medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and other health-related programmes to address the country’s shortage of skilled healthcare professionals.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said the expansion would create more opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals while boosting the nation’s capacity to meet growing healthcare demands.

The ministry said the intervention is aimed at addressing the shortage of nurses and other medical personnel, improving healthcare services nationwide and investing in the human capital required to drive economic growth and sustainable development.

According to the statement, the programme is expected to benefit students, parents, healthcare institutions and communities by producing more trained professionals capable of meeting the country’s increasing healthcare needs.

It added that healthcare institutions would have access to a larger pool of skilled and motivated personnel, resulting in improved service delivery, stronger healthcare systems and better health outcomes for citizens.

Speaking on the initiative, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce through investment in education.

“The strength of every nation’s healthcare system begins with the quality and availability of its healthcare professionals,” Idris said.

“By expanding admissions into nursing and other health training programmes, the Federal Government is investing in the talents of our young people, strengthening our health workforce, and building a healthier, more resilient Nigeria.”