The Federal Government has announced a raise in nursing school admissions from 20,000 to 50,000 to tackle Nigeria’s health workers shortage. On paper, it looks bold. In practice, it raises more questions than answers.
First, numbers without systems. You can admit 50,000 students, but where are the lecturers, clinical sites, simulation labs, and hostels? Our nursing schools are already overstretched. Flooding them without funding is a recipe for half-baked graduates and failed exams.
Second, the “japa” problem. Nigeria trains, the UK, US, Canada, and Saudi employ. Over 10,000 Nigerian nurses left in the last 5 years. Raising admissions without improving pay, security, and work conditions means we are simply running a recruitment agency for foreign hospitals. We will tackle the shortage in London, not Lagos.
Third, quality vs quantity. A nurse is not a statistic. One well-trained, well-paid, well-equipped nurse saves more lives than five demoralized ones.
So, to tackle the shortage… or to create the illusion of action?
If the FG is serious desirous, pair this with better remuneration, retention bonds, and modern training facilities. Otherwise this 30,000 increase will just be 30,000 more boarding passes out of Nigeria.
We need health workers who stay, not just health workers who graduate.
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