Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has launched the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025–2030, a national strategy aimed at strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce to expand access to quality health services and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Developed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the UK Government, the strategy aligns with the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and WHO’s Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery. It outlines reforms to enhance the training, deployment, and performance of nurses and midwives, who make up over half of Nigeria’s health workforce.
At the National Nursing Summit in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasized the importance of a skilled and equitably distributed health workforce. He highlighted government efforts to increase nursing school enrolment from 28,000 to 115,000 students, recruit 20,000 health workers (60% nurses and midwives), and implement a National Retention Strategy to address workforce shortages. The NSDNM is structured around six strategic pillars, focusing on education, workforce planning, professional regulation, leadership, data systems, and closing service delivery gaps.
The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Ndagi Alhassan, noted that the framework will promote higher professional standards and equitable distribution of nurses and midwives, particularly in underserved and rural areas. WHO and UNFPA representatives reaffirmed their commitment to support implementation, emphasizing the strategy’s role in improving primary healthcare access and reducing maternal mortality through strengthened midwifery services.
Practical support for training institutions has already begun, with WHO providing buses for clinical training, ICT equipment, instructional and simulation materials, and digital tools for accreditation management in nursing schools. These measures aim to expand pre-service education capacity and improve accreditation compliance.
Implementation of the NSDNM will be phased, starting with nationwide planning, followed by state-level adaptations. A Technical Working Group will oversee the roadmap, monitoring, and coordination with partners. WHO will assist in curriculum standardization, workforce deployment and retention guidelines, and leadership development. Legislative support has been affirmed to ensure sustainable investment in the health workforce.
With the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government, WHO, UK DHSC/FCDO, and UNFPA, the NSDNM provides a comprehensive framework to strengthen Nigeria’s nursing and midwifery workforce, close workforce gaps, and advance universal access to essential health services, ultimately supporting a more resilient and equitable health system.
