UGONSA Commends the Federal Ministry of Health on the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030, Calls for Clear Implementation Framework and Funding Commitment

 

Abuja, Nigeria – October 10, 2025

The University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA) has lauded the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW) for unveiling the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025–2030, developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners. The landmark document, officially launched on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the NAF Conference Center, Kado, Abuja, outlines strategic reforms across education, job creation, leadership, and service delivery to reposition the nursing and midwifery professions in Nigeria.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Nurse Opeyemi Ojo and its National Secretary, Nurse Philip Eteng, UGONSA described the NSDNM as “a bold and progressive step” towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that nurses and midwives form over 50% of Nigeria’s health workforce and remain the backbone of the country’s healthcare system. The association emphasized that successful implementation of the policy will determine whether the lofty vision translates into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.

“While commending the Federal Ministry for aligning the strategy with global frameworks, UGONSA highlighted critical implementation gaps. The association observed that Nigeria’s nursing density of 94.1 per 100,000 population (1:1063) is far below the recommended threshold to meet national health needs. It also expressed concern that between 2018 and 2024, more than 42,000 nurses and midwives migrated abroad, worsening workforce shortages and undermining service delivery.

“UGONSA called for the creation of a National Nursing Workforce Observatory to monitor employment trends and manage migration effectively. It further urged the Ministry to establish a dedicated funding mechanism to strengthen nursing education, upgrade training infrastructure, and recruit more qualified faculty. The association also recommended the institutionalization of a National Nursing Leadership Academy under the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to build leadership competencies and foster research-based policy engagement.

On service delivery, UGONSA stressed the need for measurable performance indicators, digital health integration, and safe workplace environments to enhance patient outcomes and accountability.

The association reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Federal Ministry, NMCN, WHO, and other stakeholders to ensure that the strategies outlined in the NSDNM are effectively implemented and sustained.

“We commend this visionary step but urge the government to back the strategy with measurable targets, robust funding, and transparent monitoring mechanisms. Only through full implementation can Nigeria’s nurses and midwives be empowered to drive the nation’s health goals,” the statement concluded.

Signed
Nurse Opeyemi Ojo, National President, UGONSA

Nurse Philip Eteng, National Secretary, UGONSA