The Federal Government has raised annual nursing school admissions from approximately 20,000 to 50,000 students in a strategic effort to address Nigeria’s healthcare workforce shortage and strengthen the nation’s health system, according to Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Dr. Alausa explained that this expansion is a key component of broader educational reforms aimed at producing the skilled talent necessary to advance President Bola Tinubu’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
We want to be the manpower supplier of the world. Our objective is to produce competent, skilled, and educated young Nigerians who will drive our economy, contribute to Africa’s growth, and compete globally, Alausa stated.
He noted that the government is deliberately investing in human capital development by increasing access to professional education in critical sectors. Admissions into medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry have also been significantly expanded.
Alausa expressed confidence that these reforms will substantially reduce Nigeria’s shortage of healthcare professionals within the next few years, as thousands of newly trained graduates join the workforce.
“Education will remain central to the President’s vision of building a one trillion-dollar economy,” he said, attributing the expansion to President Tinubu’s commitment to education and sustainable human capital development.
The minister also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), emphasizing that it was designed for long-term financial sustainability. He stressed the importance of policies that endure, noting that sustainability is at the heart of the administration’s philosophy and guided NELFUND’s creation.
Additionally, Alausa said the government has restored industrial harmony in tertiary institutions through dialogue with academic and non-academic staff unions, which has led to improved stability and outcomes in higher education.
Nigeria has grappled with a persistent shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals, primarily due to years of limited investment in training and the migration of health workers to countries offering better pay and conditions. This trend has placed added pressure on the healthcare system, especially at the primary and secondary levels.
To address these challenges, the Federal Government has expanded admissions into nursing and other health-related programmes, and invested in Technical and Vocational Education and Training alongside other human capital initiatives.
Amid concerns over the Japa phenomenon which has seen thousands of Nigerian-trained nurses and doctors relocate abroad—the government is focused on increasing training capacity to meet domestic healthcare needs while positioning Nigeria as a global supplier of skilled professionals.
