Nigeria's Nursing Education Annual Enrollment Records Experiences Over 400% Increase .... It's A Promise Fulfilled Says Health Minister

"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." Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Education Minister

Nigeria's healthcare and education sectors, especially as it relates to the annual nursing enrollment, experienced a tremendous surged from 28,000, to about 115,000; over 400% increase.

Indeed, it is a transformative milestone in healthcare education and also, groundbreaking leap. 

It is recalled that on May 28th 2023 when the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, led-administration was inaugurated, the annual to an unprecedented 115,000 as a result of Mr. President’s initiative. 

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on revitalizing the education and health sectors.

In line with the administration's emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM), the Federal Ministries of Education and that of Health & Social Welfare, under the leadership of Dr. Alausa and his counterpart, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, have successfully surpassed the initial set out target of 110,000 nursing students, annually enrolled at our nursing colleges to 115,000. 

The Honourable Minister thanked stakeholders, industry leaders, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, teaching hospitals, and Ministry staff for their contributions towards this great achievement.

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.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

30  April 2025