The Federal Government has officially launched the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025–2030, a comprehensive national roadmap designed to transform nursing and midwifery education, leadership, and service delivery across the country.
During the launch in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the strategy as “not just a health plan, but a blueprint for transformation.”
He elaborated, “It outlines clear priorities to strengthen education, create dignified and rewarding career pathways through jobs, expand leadership opportunities, and retain top talent within our health system.”
“This is a practical guide that will shape investments and innovations in nursing and midwifery over the next five years, while positioning Nigeria as a contributor to global health system resilience through a skilled, motivated, and equitably distributed workforce.”
Professor Pate highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment to uplifting the nursing and midwifery profession,” recalling that the African Union appointed him as “champion for human resources for health and community health and midwifery partnership” in 2024.
He noted that the NSDNM aligns with the administration’s four-point health agenda — enhancing governance, improving population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and reinforcing health security through digital transformation.
“In the past year and a half, we have championed the strategic expansion of nursing and midwifery education,” Pate said. “With the collaboration of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the enrolment quota for nursing and midwifery training institutions has increased from 28,000 in 2023 to 115,000 for the 2025 academic year — an unprecedented leap for our health and education sectors.”
The minister revealed that over 69,000 frontline health workers have been retrained nationwide and that government approval has been given to recruit more than 20,000 new health personnel, 60 percent of whom are nurses and midwives.
He emphasized that beyond training, the government is “creating the enabling environment” for healthcare professionals to perform effectively.
“No matter how well trained or passionate our nurses and midwives are, they need infrastructure, equipment, and commodities to practise effectively. We are building a coordinated platform that aligns all levels of government and stakeholders to strengthen accountability and deliver quality care.”
Professor Pate also praised Nigeria’s adoption of the Best Practice Frontline Organisation Model, implemented in partnership with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, calling it a “pioneering achievement and the first of its kind in West Africa.”
“This initiative will raise professional standards, improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, and elevate the quality of care delivered to Nigerians.”
He added that through active collaboration with state governments, regulatory councils, training institutions, and partners, the strategy will be translated into measurable outcomes that expand access to quality care and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
Earlier, the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, described the launch as “a divine milestone in our collective journey to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.”
“The NSDNM 2025–2030 embodies our shared vision to transform nursing and midwifery education, leadership, regulation, and service delivery,” he said.
“It seeks to address the challenge of brain drain by creating an enabling environment for professionals to thrive and serve proudly within our national health system.”
He urged stakeholders to view the plan as “a catalyst for renewed action toward a resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare workforce.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Kachallom Daju, Mrs. Teshoma Dafeta, Director of Human Resources, reaffirmed the government’s recognition of nurses and midwives as the “heartbeat of healthcare delivery.”
“They are often the first point of contact for patients and communities, especially in underserved areas,” she said. “Yet, they have faced challenges ranging from workforce shortages to underrepresentation in leadership and inadequate working conditions.”
Mrs. Dafeta explained that the NSDNM is structured around four pillars: education, job creation, leadership, and service delivery.
“It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and places strong emphasis on a resilient and people-centred healthcare system,” she said. “Our collective vision is a Nigeria where every nurse and midwife is empowered, respected, and adequately equipped to deliver high-quality care.”
She called on government agencies, academia, development organisations, and the private sector to ensure that “the NSDNM becomes a living, measurable document.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) commended the Federal Government for its bold initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s nursing and midwifery workforce.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Mary Brantuo highlighted the organization’s support in developing the strategy, which was funded by the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care.
“Nurses and midwives make up nearly 50% of the global health workforce, yet many countries, including Nigeria, face critical shortages,” Brantuo said. “WHO projects a global shortfall of about 4.8 million nurses and midwives by 2030, with the largest gaps in Africa and Southeast Asia.”
She noted that Nigeria’s plan aligns with the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021–2027) and emphasized the need for “multi-sectoral collaboration and sustained investment in nursing.”
“Investing in nursing and midwifery is not a cost — it is a strategic investment in health system resilience, gender equity, and economic development,” Brantuo stressed. “Together we can build a future where every Nigerian has access to quality care delivered by empowered and well-supported nurses and midwives.”
During the keynote address, Professor Saleh Garba highlighted the urgent need to address Nigeria’s nursing deficit.
“Nigeria currently has about 180,000 nurses and 130,000 midwives, giving a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:1,260 — far below the WHO recommendation of one nurse per 1,000 people,” he said.
Garba noted that the NSDNM, developed in line with WHO standards, focuses on education, jobs, leadership, and service delivery.
“Educating enough nurses and midwives, managing migration, and strengthening leadership will ensure that they are respected, protected, and equipped to deliver quality healthcare,” he said.
“The NSDNM provides an evidence-based framework to strengthen our workforce and ensure progress toward universal health coverage.”
He also called for improved infrastructure, remuneration, and working conditions to reduce brain drain, stressing that “suboptimal work environments and neglect of labour rights have driven many nurses abroad.”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary Health Services), Ipalibo Banigo, pledged strong legislative support for reforms in nursing and midwifery.
“Investments in nursing and midwifery are a priority for us,” she said.
“We will continue to support efforts to improve the intake of trainees, strengthen the regulatory council, and ensure Nigeria moves closer to universal health coverage.”
She assured the nursing and midwifery community of ongoing collaboration with the National Assembly to guarantee that the profession receives the recognition and resources it deserves.
Stakeholders unanimously described the NSDNM 2025–2030 as a “turning point” for Nigeria’s health system. By focusing on workforce education, equitable employment, and improved service delivery, the strategy is expected to enhance health outcomes and position Nigeria as a leader in nursing and midwifery practice in Africa.
