Lawmakers in Niger State have passed a major bill. The bill seeks to create separate state-run colleges for nursing and midwifery. The Niger State House of Assembly approved the legislation this week. It now awaits the governor's signature to become law. The bill's full title is the Niger State College of Nursing and Midwifery Bill. It was presented by the state's Commissioner for Health. Officials say the goal is to improve healthcare training. They also want to address a shortage of skilled health workers. The law would set up independent governing boards for new colleges. These boards would manage the schools' daily operations.
The bill combines two existing training schools into a larger system. The School of Nursing in Bida and the School of Midwifery in Minna will be affected. They will become colleges under the new legal framework. This change aims to raise the quality of education. It also seeks to standardize training across the state. Health leaders say better training will improve patient care. The state faces a lack of nurses and midwives in rural clinics. This shortage is common across many parts of Nigeria. The new colleges hope to produce more graduates every year.
State health officials provided data on the need. They said Niger State's current nurse-to-patient ratio is low. It falls below standards set by the World Health Organization. The WHO recommends at least 40 nurses per 10,000 people. Many areas in Niger State have far fewer than that. The commissioner said the existing schools cannot train enough students. Their capacity is limited by old facilities and funding. The new college system will seek more funding from the state. It will also aim to attract private partnerships.
The bill passed after a committee review and debate. Lawmakers asked about funding and location plans. The health commissioner said the existing schools will form the foundation. New campuses may be built in other zones later. This would make training more accessible across the state. The law includes rules for appointing principals and registrars. It also sets academic standards to meet national requirements. Graduates will still take national exams to become licensed.
Healthcare experts reacted to the news. A professor of public health commented on the plan. She said expanding training is a critical step. But she warned that building schools is only the first part. The state must also ensure jobs for graduates. It must improve working conditions and pay to keep them. Many Nigerian health workers leave for better opportunities abroad. This "brain drain" affects hospitals at all levels. The new colleges must be part of a larger plan to retain staff.
The national government is also pushing for more health workers. Federal policies aim to increase the number of nurses nationwide. State-level colleges are key to this effort. Niger State's move follows similar actions in Kaduna and Oyo states. Those states also upgraded their nursing schools in recent years. The trend shows a growing focus on local healthcare training.
Local students and teachers shared their views. A student at the Minna school said she welcomes the change. She hopes new equipment and classrooms will come with it. A tutor at the Bida school said he hopes for better pay for staff. He said morale is low due to poor resources. The bill does not directly address staff salaries. That will be a separate issue for the state budget.
The next step is for the governor to sign the bill. His office has not given a timeline for the decision. Observers expect he will approve it. The governor has listed healthcare as a priority for his administration. Once signed, a transition committee will likely form. This group will plan the shift from schools to colleges. The process could take several months or more.
The bill's success will depend on steady government funding. State finances have been strained in recent years. The commissioner said the health ministry will argue for strong support. He said investing in health workers saves money in the long term. Healthier communities are more productive. They also put less strain on emergency services.
This legislation is part of a wider health sector reform. Niger State is also renovating some hospitals and clinics. The goal is a complete system where training and care work together. Officials hope new graduates will staff upgraded facilities. The plan faces challenges but has broad support from lawmakers. The vote in the assembly was nearly unanimous.
Residents in remote areas need more health services. Many villages have no clinic or nurse. Pregnant women often travel long distances for care. More midwives could lower maternal death rates. The state has some of the highest rates in the country. Training local women as midwives is a key strategy. They are more likely to work in their home regions.
The new colleges will need national accreditation. They must meet the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Officials say they are confident of gaining approval. The curriculum will follow national guidelines. The change to college status may allow for more advanced courses. This could include post-basic specializations in the future.
The story will develop as the governor acts. Stakeholders will watch for the release of start-up funds. Students will wait for updates on admissions under the new system. The reform could become a model for other northern states. Many face similar health workforce shortages. For now, the bill's passage is seen as a positive step. It shows political will to tackle a deep-rooted problem.