Koko Maxwella 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025–2030, a new framework to strengthen the country’s health workforce and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Unveiled during the National Nursing Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the strategy outlines reforms in education, regulation, deployment, and retention for nurses and midwives nationwide.
Developed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the plan aligns with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and WHO’s global nursing strategy.
Health Minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate said the strategy underscores government’s commitment to building a skilled and equitably distributed workforce.
“Nurses and midwives are the backbone of our healthcare system,” he said. “We are expanding training, regulation, and career growth to deploy professionals where they are needed most.”
Pate revealed that nursing school enrolment has grown from 28,000 to 115,000, while 20,000 new health workers—60% of them nurses and midwives—have been approved for recruitment.
WHO’s Dr. Mary Brantuo reaffirmed continued support for implementation, while NMCN Registrar Alhaji Ndagi Alhassan said the strategy would raise professional standards and address rural workforce gaps.
A technical working group will oversee phased implementation nationwide.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Chukwu Obinna 
Otamere Gladness