The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, on Monday revealed a major surge in the number of students enrolling in nursing programmes across the country.
According to the ministry, annual enrollment figures have jumped significantly from 28,000 to 115,000.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the government described this progress as a reflection of its commitment to advancing healthcare education.
The statement read, “In a groundbreaking leap for Nigeria’s healthcare and education sectors, Nigeria has reached a transformative milestone in healthcare education.
“Annual nursing enrollment has surged from 28,000, as it was on May 28th 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, led administration was inaugurated, to an unprecedented 115,000 as a result of Mr. President’s initiative.”
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reiterated the administration’s dedication to fulfilling the Renewed Hope Agenda, with a particular focus on strengthening the education and health sectors.
Highlighting the government’s emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences, Dr Alausa, along with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, noted that the target of enrolling 110,000 nursing students annually had been surpassed, reaching 115,000.
Dr Alausa extended his appreciation to stakeholders, industry experts, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, teaching hospitals, and staff of the ministry for their role in achieving this milestone.
“This increased enrollment capacity signals a transformative era for nursing education in Nigeria, positioning the country to meet domestic and global demands for qualified healthcare professionals,” the statement added.