COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 22ND NATIONAL
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE AND SCIENTIFIC UPDATE (NAPCON) OF THE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATES OF NURSING SCIENCE ASSOCIATION (UGONSA) HELD AT ARCHITECTURE HALL,
BINGHAM UNIVERSITY, KARU, NASARAWA STATE, FROM AUGUST 9TH TO AUGUST 15TH, 2026.
Tagged: “Professional Advancement Summit”
Theme: “Empowering the Nursing Workforce: Leading Transformational
Change in a Dynamic Healthcare System”
Preamble
UGONSA greatly appreciates all our invited dignitaries who graced the
official opening ceremony of the conference, notably the chief guest of honour
– His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa
State; the Special guest of honour – Dr. Shekwonugaza Dogara Gwamma - Hon.
Commissioner of Health, Nasarawa State; the distinguished guests of honour,
Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba – the Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu,
Nasarawa State; Barr. Abigail Waya - the Head of Civil Service, Nasarawa State;
the Director of Nursing Services, Nasarawa State. The Father of the Event,
Comrade Haruna Mamman, the National President, National Association of Nigeria
Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). UGONSA appreciates those who were unavoidably
absent due to exigencies of their offices, and those who sent a representative
on their behalf. UGONSA is indebted to the Keynote Speaker, Nr. Ndagi Alhassan
(PhD) – the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nursing and Midwifery
Council of Nigeria (NMCN), ably represented by Nr. Kamilu Adbullahi Ringim; The
Mother of the Event - Dr. (Mrs.) Imaobong O. Umah – Director of Nursing Services
(DNS), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja; the Nasarawa State
chairman of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) ably
represented by his deputy comrade Aguma Emmanuel; Nr. Emem Nelson; Alhaja
Fatima Tayo Ajiboye from Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja;
Nr. Eze Alexander, a representative from
the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Abuja, whose responsibility was
to monitor the proceedings of the conference on behalf of the Council; top
officials from Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State. and other distinguished guests present at the
official opening ceremony. The association remains indebted to the Government
and the good people of Nasarawa State, and to the Vice Chancellor of Bingham
University, Karu, for providing a peaceful atmosphere for our 22nd
National Professional Conference and Scientific Update, and to the Nasarawa
State UGONSA State Administrative Council (SAC) led by Nr. Kyari Kefas, members
of the Local Organizational Committee (LOC), ably led by the Provost of College
of Nursing, Lafia – Dr. Pius Averson; the Head of the Department of Nursing
Science, Nr. Afoi Barry, and other members of Nasarawa State UGONSA for a well-organised
hosting. Above all, the association is eternally grateful to the Almighty God for
the safety granted to all the participants from different States to and from
the conference, and for His abundant grace throughout the conference.
The Official opening ceremony:
The opening ceremony was held on Monday, August 10, 2026 in a
well-decorated 250-capacity auditorium filled with participants from different
States and other invited guests, and the flag-off of the event was done by the
Mother of the Event, Dr. (Mrs.) Imaobong O. Umah – The Director of Nursing Services
(DNS), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja. She commended
UGONSA for its sustained commitment to advancing Nursing Education, Research,
Professional development, and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). She went further
to affirm the federal government's commitment to strengthening the nursing
workforce and improving healthcare delivery. She said the government, through
the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is implementing reforms under
the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and other strategic
programmes aimed at expanding training opportunities, improving workforce
planning, strengthening recruitment and retention, creating a more conducive
environment for professional practice.
The event was chaired by Nr. Opeyemi Ojo, UGONSA
National President. All the dignitaries presented goodwill messages to
the association.
Publications
Book of Abstracts of the 22nd UGONSA Conference; and a press
statement on Empowering the Nursing Workforce: Leading Transformational Change
in a Dynamic Healthcare System were among the key conference publications.
Awards
Grand Ambassador of Nightingalic Virtues (GANV) was awarded to two
nurses, the Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
(NMCN), Nr. Ndagi Alhassan (PhD), and Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia Obiajunu Onianwa for
their immense and outstanding contributions to the growth and advancement of
Nursing Leadership, Education, Research, and Practice in Nigeria, and for meritorious
service in Nursing practice, while Grand Advocate of Nursing Profession (GANP) was
awarded to the Head of Civil Service of Nasarawa State – Barr. (Mrs.) Abigail Waya
for her efforts and contributions to the struggle that ensured the achievement
of Enhanced Entry Point for Graduate Nurses in 2022 by the National Council on
Establishment (NCE). Let it be known that GANV is the highest award grantable
to Nurses for their distinguished services and outstanding impact in advancing
the collective aspiration of the Nursing Profession, while GANP is the highest
award grantable to a non-nurse who distinguishes his/herself in advocacy for
the welfare and advancement of the nursing profession in Nigeria. All three
awardees were inducted into the prestigious Nursing Hall of Fame 2026 Class.
Proceedings
Paper presentations were received beginning from the keynote
presentation on the central theme of the conference, and on the four sub-themes
that were carefully selected and assigned to different scholars. Those whose
Abstracts were accepted by the Abstract Review Committee after meeting the set
criteria were listed for presentation and were presented as scheduled. The
General Congress took place on Friday, August 14, 2026, presided over by the National
President Nr. Opeyemi Ojo. The proceedings of the General Congress of 21st
NAPCON held in Ondo State in 2024 were presented. The Conference targeted professional
advancement from the milestone achievements recorded by the profession over the
past ten years, addressing nurses to be in tune with the technological
transformation of the digital era, by empowering them with the necessary
knowledge, skills and AI-enabled tools that will equip them to function and
discharge their nursing care in a competitive and dynamic healthcare system
that focuses on a patient-centred approach.
Congress and Resolutions
1. The Congress-in-Session
adopted all the resolutions of the 21st NAPCON Congress held in Ondo
State as presented
2. Addressing the congress
on the resolutions of the 21st NAPCON, the President noted that all
the issues raised during the congress were implemented except the arrival of
the NAC/NEC members to the subsequent host state two days prior to the
commencement day of the conference, citing paucity of funds by the association
as the major hindrance.
4. Account of Stewardship
and Dissolution: The national president, Nr. Opeyemi, on behalf of the national
executives, presented and address/account of stewardship for the operations of
the association for the past four years of the administration spanning from 12th
July, 2022 to 14th August, 2026. Following this presentation, the
tenure of the National Executives came to an end, and the National
Administrative Council (NAC) was dissolved through a motion moved and seconded
by Nr. Abbas Umar and Nr. Aku Lawrence respectively. Sequel to the above, the
Oyo State Chapter Chairperson, Nr. Gbadamosi Iyabode was appointed to step
forward and conduct an election to usher in new national executives, while the
ex-executives vacated their seats.
Consequently, a motion was moved by Nr. Aku Lawrence from Nasarawa State
and seconded by Nr. Ogor, Lucy from Enugu State, calling on all the out-gone
national executives to return unopposed to their various posts and positions
for the next four years to stabilize the association. The motion was sustained
by all participants. Following the motion, all the out-gone national executives
were returned unopposed to their respective offices. A vote of thanks and
appreciation was offered by the newly elected National President, Nr. Opeyemi
on behalf of other Executives, appreciating the Oyo State Chapter chairperson
for the conduct of the process; he thanked the congress for the confidence
reposed in the newly elected national executives and pledged to continue to
uphold the vision, mission and core principles of the association. Regarding
the position of the National Deputy President, Western Zone held by Nr. Ojone
Matthew, which has been vacant for the past two years starting from 2025 due to
japa syndrome, the congress-in-session mandated the Western Zone to nominate a
member who is committed to the course of the association as a replacement and
forward same to the NAC for ratification.
3. The congress-in-session expressed
appreciation to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN) under
the leadership of the Registrar/CEO Alh. Ndagi Alhassan (Ph.D.) for having
faith in UGONSA by approving 3 Continuing Educational Units (3CEUs) for renewal
of License for our 2026 NAPCON.
4. The congress-in-session also
congratulated Dr. (Mrs.) Imaobong O. Umah for her appointment as the new
Director of Nursing Services (DNS), Federal Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare, Abuja, who took over from Dame Okafor Franca (GANV), and expressed
appreciation to her for such an honour accorded to UGONSA for her physical
presence and goodwill message in the official opening ceremony of our 22nd
NAPCON Nasarawa 2026 despite her busy schedules in the office. The association
reiterated her commitment to work with her and support her administration to
advance the course of the nursing profession in Nigeria.
5. The congress-in-session
equally congratulated the newly appointed Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Igbekeleoluwa Ogundele, and
others for their appointment as Governing Board Members of the NMCN. UGONSA
prayed that their tenure will engender transformational reforms in the
administration of nursing leadership, education, and Practice in Nigeria.
6. Regarding re-structuring
of Nursing Education in Nigeria to be at par with other professions in the Nigerian
health sector, and with the current reality, the congress-in-session urged the
Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to immediately commence
consultations with relevant stakeholders aimed at curricular reformation for
university nursing education to upgrade the current Five-Year Bachelor of
Nursing Science (B.N.Sc.) degree programme, to a Six-Year Bachelor of Nursing
and Bachelor of Midwifery (BNBM;NBBM) degree programme for university graduates
of nursing sciences.
7. The congress-in-session
equally frowned at the spate of approval and accreditations of Colleges of
Nursing (CON) in the country by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
(NMCN), arguing that, such policy is not only setting nursing profession to be
high-jacked by the highest bidders, which is inimical to the image and future
of nursing profession, but, is positioning the profession to the path of
producing undervalued nurses in terms of educational qualifications that cannot
compete favourably with other professionals in a dynamic and competitive healthcare
system in Nigeria.
8. The congress-in-session
therefore, admonished the Council to put an end/stop forthwith the approval and
creation of new Colleges of Nursing Science (CON), but commence negotiation
with relevant bodies for absorption/assimilation of the existing Colleges of
Nursing to the nearest universities to become degree-awarding institutions at
graduation.
9. The congress-in-session
urged all Nigerian nurses and midwives, especially in Federal tertiary health
institutions, to be assertive in the clinical area, and demonstrate
professionalism in practicing their different specialty skills/procedures that
they were trained and licensed to perform, as was affirmed by a Circular from the
Federal Ministry of Health Ref. No.
C.2920/S.4/T6/51 dated 6th January, 2022, empowering nurses,
midwives and other specialty Nurses to do so. Such procedures include:
establishing an intravenous (IV) line (cannulation) and administration of IV
medications as prescribed, passing of Urethral catheter, passing of
Naso-gastric (NG) tube, conduction of labour and monitoring of progress of
labour, blood transfusion as ordered, and monitoring of patients during
transfusion, etc.
10. Addressing concerns
expressed by nurses over the years on the lack of visibility of nurses on
health policies and decision-making arena, and public hearings, the
congress-in-session urged nurses to equip themselves with relevant university education
and knowledge, and engage in secular politics that will place them in
policy-making positions, and lobbying to influence health policies and
decision-making, rather than being policy implementers only. UGONSA therefore urge
our Mother association, NANNM, to make haste in official recognition of UGONSA
as both a Professional Association and Pressure Wing of Nurses in order to
attract invitation by the National Assembly as a critical stakeholder during public
hearings on health matters.
11. Following a motion to
advance a policy on tenureship of the office of Head of Nursing Services (HNS)
in all health facilities to 4-years term, after much deliberation in support of
the motion, the congress-in-session advised the mover of the motion and members
to study the Act establishing the position/office of HNS in their various states
and institutions to ascertain the provisions of the law, in other to be
properly advised to either move for amendment of the Act to propose a four-year
term for the position.
12. The congress-in-session
under a motion moved Nr. Ekuma-Ojim Judith Cynthia, and seconded Nr. Ede
Cecilia, stepped down the presentation of State Reports, to be presented during
our next NAC/NEC meetings.
13. The congress-in-session
decried the poor funding of the association at the national level which has
hindered implementation of programmes and advancement of policies through
lobbying. To this effect, the association admonished all State chapters to sit
up and revitalise their chapters and units by embarking on a membership drive
to increase their numerical strength and contribute financially to the national
purse. The congress equally charged the Zonal leaders to ensure establishment of
Chapters in those States in their zones that do not have a functional UGONSA.
14. The congress-in-session
urged all the States that have not paid their NAPCON State Registration for
2024 and 2026 NAPCON respectively to pay up as soon as possible.
14. A National General
Secretary, Nr. Eteng, Philip tendered a vote of thanks to the host state,
especially to Nr. Afoi Barry, Dr. Pius Averson, and the Local Organizing
Committee (LOC) for their commitment and sacrifice that culminated in a
successful hosting of 2026 NAPCON, and encouraged them to embark on an aggressive
membership drive to revitalize and strengthen the association in Nasarawa
State. The GS earlier encouraged other State Chapters on how to sustain and
improve participation of new members in their various state chapters.
14. Adjournment: Following a
successful Conference and fruitful deliberations, a motion for adjournment of
the congress was moved by Nr. Abze, Ekom Emmanuel, seconded by Nr. Gbadamosi
Iyabode Adetoro.
15. Closing: A closing prayer
was said by Nr. Eze Eunice, and Oyo State Chapter Chairperson Nr. Gbadamosi
Iyabode respectively at 7:15pm.
19. The next UGONSA NAPCON was
zoned to the Eastern Zone, to be hosted by Akwa Ibom State.
COMMUNIQUE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Nr. Eteng, Philip
Okori - - National General Secretary
s
Nr. Adewale
Kola - - - Assistant National Secretary,
Western Zone
Nr. Ugo, Francis
N. - - - State Secretary, Ebonyi State
Nr. Ogor, Lucy C. - - - State Secretary, Enugu State
Nr. Abez, Ekom Emmanuel
- - State Secretary, Nasarawa State
Signed:
Nurse Ojo Opeyemi
Nurse Philip O. Eteng
National President National Secretary
