Oyo State Government Faces Backlash Over “Auxiliary Nurse” Job Ad Amid Quackery Concerns

Healthcare Professionals Demand Immediate Action to Protect Professional Standards and Public Safety

The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Nigeria’s healthcare community following a controversial job advertisement that appears to endorse “Auxiliary Nurse” roles, a term widely associated with unqualified healthcare practices, or quackery, in Nigeria. The advertisement, issued on August 11, 2025, and signed by Dr. Akande Abiodun Akeem on behalf of the Executive Secretary, has raised serious concerns about the legitimization of substandard healthcare practices under the Community Based Health Workers (CBHW) scheme, funded by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Controversy Surrounding “Auxiliary Nurse” Terminology

In Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, the term “auxiliary nurse” is synonymous with unqualified individuals practicing nursing without proper training, registration, or regulatory oversight. The inclusion of “Village Health Worker (Auxiliary Nurse)” in an official government job posting has been met with outrage from registered nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals who view this as a dangerous endorsement of quackery.

A registered nurse expressed the profession’s frustration, stating, “The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) must act swiftly to reject this. The term ‘nurse’ should never be paired with ‘auxiliary.’ If the government wishes to employ community health workers, they must use regulation-compliant titles that do not undermine our profession.”

Systemic Concerns and Public Health Risks

The advertisement has sparked critical questions about healthcare policy, oversight, and public safety:

• Government Accountability: How did a government agency approve a job title associated with quackery? What oversight mechanisms failed to allow this to occur?
• Regulatory Oversight: Why was the NMCN not consulted prior to the advertisement’s release? How did the NPHCDA approve funding for positions using problematic terminology?
• Public Health Implications: Will communities receive substandard care from inadequately trained personnel? Could this erode public trust in government healthcare initiatives?

Healthcare professionals warn that legitimizing “auxiliary nursing” risks undermining decades of efforts to professionalize Nigeria’s healthcare system and could jeopardize patient safety.

Urgent Call for Regulatory Intervention

The healthcare community is calling for immediate action from key stakeholders:

• Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN): To reject the use of “auxiliary nurse” and enforce compliance with professional standards.
• National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM): To advocate for the protection of nursing as a regulated profession.
• Federal Ministry of Health: To review and correct problematic healthcare classifications.
• Oyo State Government: To withdraw the advertisement and issue revised, regulation-compliant job postings.
• National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA): To clarify its role in approving funding for these positions.

With the application deadline set for August 18, 2025, time is of the essence to address this crisis and prevent the normalization of substandard healthcare practices.

Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Healthcare System

This incident exposes vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s healthcare framework, including:

• Threat to Professional Standards: The disconnect between government agencies and regulatory bodies risks undermining professional integrity.
• Public Safety Concerns: Communities may receive care from inadequately qualified personnel, leading to potential health risks.
• Erosion of Trust: Official endorsement of questionable terminology could diminish public confidence in government-led healthcare programs.

The controversy also raises concerns about whether similar practices exist in other states, underscoring the need for standardized, regulation-compliant job classifications nationwide.

Healthcare Community Demands Swift Action

The nursing community, through platforms like Fellow Nurses Africa, is mobilizing to demand:

1. Immediate Withdrawal of the controversial advertisement.
2. Public Apology for endorsing terminology linked to quackery.
3. Thorough Investigation into the approval processes that allowed this oversight.
4. Policy Reforms to ensure alignment with professional standards.
5. Enhanced Coordination between government agencies and regulatory bodies like the NMCN.

A Critical Test for Healthcare Integrity

This incident represents a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s healthcare system. The Oyo State government’s response will signal its commitment to upholding professional standards and safeguarding public health. As the August 18 deadline approaches, the healthcare community calls for decisive action to correct this dangerous precedent and ensure that no government policy legitimizes practices associated with quackery.

Fellow Nurses Africa remains committed to advocating for the integrity of the nursing profession and the safety of patients across Nigeria. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.