What It’s Like to Be a Nurse in Nigeria – A First-Person Perspective
By Nurse Umar Rabiu | April 18, 2025
I wake up every morning before the sun rises—not out of choice, but because duty calls. In Nigeria, being a nurse isn’t just a job; it’s a calling, a commitment, and often, a test of strength. By 7:25 a.m., I’m already in my white uniform, reporting for duty at the hospital. There’s no room for delay—time here can be the difference between life and death.
The Daily Reality in Nigerian Hospitals
The work is intense. Our wards are always full, and more often than not, we are critically short-staffed. On any given day, I might attend to over 30 patients—checking vitals, administering medications, comforting families, and offering a hand to hold in moments of fear. Nursing in Nigeria goes beyond clinical care. It’s about being present, resilient, and compassionate in the face of adversity.
Working With Limited Resources
One of the biggest challenges we face as Nigerian nurses is the lack of basic medical resources. There are days we run out of gloves, syringes, or even beds. We improvise, adapt, and sometimes, all we can do is pray. It’s heartbreaking to see patients suffer because the system fails them. Knowing exactly what to do and being unable to act due to shortages—it hits deep.
The Joy in Small Victories
But amid the chaos, there are moments of pure joy—a newborn’s first cry, a patient regaining strength, a heartfelt “thank you” from a family member. These moments are the reasons I continue. They remind me why I chose this path, why I endure the long hours and the exhaustion.
Passion Over Pay
Let’s be honest—nursing in Nigeria doesn’t come with financial rewards. Most of us are underpaid and overworked, yet we stay. Why? Because for many of us, nursing is more than a profession—it’s a passion. Still, it hurts to be disrespected or misunderstood by the very people we serve. The public perception of nurses in Nigeria is often shallow. People don’t see the emotional toll, the physical strain, or the sacrifices we make daily.
Hoping for Change
Despite all the challenges—burnout, underpayment, the increasing trend of brain drain—I still love what I do. I love being the calm in someone’s storm, the healing hand in moments of pain, the silent hero in the background. Nursing in Nigeria has taught me strength, patience, and resilience.
Every day, I walk into that hospital with hope. Hope that our healthcare system will improve. Hope that nurses will be seen, heard, respected, and appreciated for the invaluable care and comfort we provide.
Are you a nurse in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world?
Share your experience in the comments or send us your story. Let’s amplify the voices of nurses everywhere.
Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
Nursing is not just a career, it’s a calling. Even when patients mistreat me, or respond rudely to my kindness, I simply overlook it as olan outburst of emotions. I remember that I am here to serve humanity; to lend my hands, my heart and my words in their care.
Nurses are heroes, and we deserve to be well celebrated.