Nigeria Launches Recruitment Drive for 20,000 Health Workers

The Nigerian federal government has approved the recruitment and deployment of over 20,000 health workers to strengthen public health facilities across the nation. This initiative is part of the broader 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 five-year action plan aims to enhance healthcare delivery and transform the nursing profession throughout Nigeria. Prof. Pate emphasized the vital role of nurses in providing care within hospital services, stating that the government recognizes a significant supply-demand gap in the health labor market. He remarked, “This administration, under His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to uplifting the nursing and midwifery profession.”

The strategic initiative focuses on several key objectives. It seeks to strengthen educational frameworks, create dignified career pathways, expand leadership opportunities, and retain skilled professionals within the healthcare system. Prof. Pate noted that the plan will also position Nigeria as a key contributor to global health resilience through a skilled and motivated workforce.

The recruitment process is set to prioritize nursing and midwifery professionals, with approximately 60 percent of the new health workers coming from these fields. This significant effort aligns with the government’s goals to address the needs of health facilities while simultaneously enhancing the educational outcomes for future nurses and midwives in the country.

During the event, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, recognized the policy initiative as a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen healthcare institutions. He urged stakeholders, including government agencies and educational institutions, to collaborate effectively to ensure the successful implementation of the strategic document.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, outlined that the policy is built on four foundational pillars: education reform, sustainable job creation, leadership empowerment for nurses, and overall quality improvement in healthcare services.

The Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has reported a significant increase in the annual production of nurses, which has surged from 23,000 to over 115,000 in recent years. Despite this progress, the Council’s Registrar, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, acknowledged ongoing challenges in employing these newly trained nurses. He mentioned that the government is currently partnering with communities to select and train nurses who will commit to serving in their local areas, addressing both employment and healthcare access issues.

The event highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of key figures in the nursing profession, with awards presented to Prof. Pate, Senator Banigo, and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Ambassadors of the Nursing and Midwifery profession.

As Nigeria embarks on this ambitious journey to enhance its healthcare workforce, the focus on collaboration, education, and strategic investment positions the country to better meet the health needs of its population while contributing to global health initiatives.