Nigeria Greenlights Recruitment of 20,000 Health Workers Nationwide

The Nigerian federal government has approved the recruitment and deployment of over 20,000 health workers across public health facilities nationwide. This initiative is part of the Sector-wide Approach (SWAP) reform in the health sector, which has already led to the retraining of 69,000 frontline health workers across all 36 states. The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Mohammad Pate, during the launch of Nigeria’s Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) in Abuja.

The NSDNM outlines a comprehensive five-year action plan aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and transforming the nursing profession in Nigeria. Pate emphasized the vital role of nurses in patient care, noting that the federal government recognizes the existing supply-demand gap in the health labor market. He stated, “This administration, under His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to uplifting the nursing and midwifery profession.”

The plan seeks to address several objectives, including strengthening education, creating rewarding career pathways, expanding leadership opportunities, and retaining top talent within the health system. Pate remarked that the strategy is designed to shape reforms, investments, and innovations in nursing and midwifery over the next five years, positioning Nigeria as a significant contributor to global health system resilience.

President Tinubu has granted waivers to facilitate the recruitment of these health workers, with 60 percent of them expected to be drawn from the nursing and midwifery sector. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the healthcare workforce, which has included the retraining of thousands of health professionals in the past 20 months.

During the event, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed support for the initiative, describing it as a bold and forward-looking roadmap that will strengthen institutions and enhance the contributions of nurses and midwives to national development. He urged collaboration among government agencies, professional bodies, and educational institutions to ensure successful implementation of the strategic document.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, highlighted that the policy roadmap is anchored on four key pillars: education reform, job creation, leadership empowerment, and ensuring fair compensation for health workers. These components aim to align nursing and midwifery education with both local and global demands, ensuring quality and relevance.

The Registrar of the Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, noted a remarkable increase in the annual production of nurses, which has surged from 23,000 to over 115,000. Despite this progress, he acknowledged the challenge of integrating these trained professionals into the workforce, emphasizing the need for sustainable employment strategies.

To address the issue of health worker migration and retention, the Council has initiated collaborations with local communities to select and train nurses who will serve in their respective areas. Through these efforts, the government aims to create a more sustainable healthcare workforce that meets the needs of the population.

The ceremony also recognized several individuals with awards as Ambassadors of the Nursing and Midwifery profession, including Prof. Pate, Senator Banigo, and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, highlighting their contributions to the advancement of healthcare in Nigeria.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector, addressing workforce shortages, and enhancing the quality of care available to citizens.