Breaking News: Colleges of Nursing Now Eligible for TETFund Funding, See What It Means for Nurses

Breaking News: Colleges of Nursing Now Eligible for TETFund Funding, See What It Means for Nurses

In a major boost for Nigeria’s nursing education landscape, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has revealed that government-owned Colleges of Nursing Sciences are now eligible for interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). This development, outlined in a circular dated September 10, 2025, and signed by Acting Registrar/CEO Ndagi Al Hassan, addresses long-standing gaps in funding and infrastructure that have hampered the training of competent healthcare professionals.

Previously, TETFund’s support—sourced from a 2% education tax on corporate profits—primarily targeted universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, leaving specialized nursing colleges out in the cold. But following advocacy from NMCN and a key meeting with TETFund, these institutions can now access targeted funds to upgrade facilities, marking a pivotal shift toward inclusive tertiary education support.

Strict Eligibility and Conditions

Not all colleges qualify immediately. The circular specifies:

• Program Focus: Institutions must offer National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) nursing programs.
• Ownership: Only those owned by federal or state governments are eligible.
• Annual Limit: Just one college per state will receive support each year.
• Scaled Assistance: Funding levels will depend on the college’s current infrastructure and staffing.

Heads of qualifying institutions are advised to apply directly to TETFund’s Executive Secretary and monitor progress closely. This selective approach ensures resources are directed where they’re most needed, building on TETFund’s recent investments, such as the N110 billion allocated earlier this year to enhance medical programs including nursing in 18 universities.

What This Means for Colleges of Nursing

For these underfunded colleges, the inclusion is transformative. Accreditation reports have repeatedly flagged issues like inadequate labs, libraries, and ICT setups with unreliable power and internet. TETFund interventions could inject much-needed capital for:

• Modern Infrastructure: New buildings, renovated classrooms, and simulation labs to provide hands-on training.
• Tech Upgrades: Robust ICT systems, including high-speed internet and backup power, enabling digital learning and research.
• Resource Enhancement: Better-equipped libraries and staffing improvements to reduce teacher-student ratios.

As one nursing student highlighted in a recent social media post, this could extend benefits to specific institutions like the College of Nursing Jalingo, addressing regional disparities.

Impact on Nurses and Students

The real winners? Aspiring and practicing nurses. Nigeria faces a severe shortage, with only about 3.2 nurses per 1,000 people—well below global standards. This funding aims to produce more skilled graduates ready for real-world challenges.

• For Students: Enhanced facilities mean access to cutting-edge tools, like virtual reality simulations for clinical practice, leading to higher-quality education and better exam performance. No more outdated labs or power outages disrupting classes—students can focus on becoming innovative healthcare providers.
• For Qualified Nurses: Improved training pipelines will help curb the “brain drain,” where skilled nurses migrate abroad. With global-best-practice standards, Nigerian nurses could see better job prospects, higher salaries, and opportunities for advanced certifications.
• Broader Healthcare Benefits: Ultimately, this strengthens Nigeria’s health system, reducing maternal mortality rates and improving responses to outbreaks. As TETFund’s N100 billion push into medical sciences shows, such investments are key to tackling workforce shortages.

NMCN’s circular calls for cooperation to maintain excellence in nursing, aligning with recent reforms like the removal of exam attempt limits. Stakeholders, including the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, are urged to spread the word.

Join the Largest African Nursing Community! Connect with thousands of nurses across Africa and beyond. Gain access to networking, career growth, mentorship, and professional support in a space built for you.

👉 Join Our Community on WhatsApp

Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support Nurses across Africa