Mirian Gom 
KATSINA, Nigeria – The Katsina State Government sponsors 34 female nurses and midwives for overseas professional development, launching an eight-month German language programme as a prerequisite for specialised nursing training in Germany.
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu, announces the initiative on Saturday while addressing the beneficiaries before their departure. He says the candidates, drawn from different local government areas, are selected strictly on merit to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.
The trainees begin with an intensive German language course at Koode Academy in Abuja before sitting a qualifying examination at a German institute in Lagos. “Every candidate must attain at least a B2 level to qualify for a visa and proceed to Germany,” Adamu says, stressing that language proficiency is central to professional competence and international practice.
According to the Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Muhammad Nuraddeen-Umar, the state spends about ₦100 million on registration, accommodation and upkeep, while each participant receives a ₦50,000 monthly allowance throughout the programme. He adds that salaries continue to be paid during training, alongside stipends from the German government.
Permanent Secretary Lawal Rabe says the overseas programme covers advanced nursing areas, including intensive care and life-saving skills. He urges participants to remain disciplined and act as “good ambassadors” of Katsina at home and abroad.
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