Peter Obi praises Nigerian nurses as ‘heart of healthcare’ on World Nurses Day
By the Editorial Team, Fellow Nurses Africa
Lagos, Nigeria – 12 May 2026
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has paid tribute to Nigeria’s nurses and midwives, describing them as the “heart of the health sector” while highlighting the immense pressures they face daily.
In a message posted on X on World Nurses Day, Obi acknowledged the profession’s critical role and the personal sacrifices nurses make amid high patient loads, equipment shortages and challenging working environments.
“Nigerian nurses work under some of the toughest conditions with dignity and courage,” he wrote. “From physical and mental stress to high patient-to-nurse ratios, to lack of equipment and poor working environments, your resilience keeps our health sector going.”
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Obi also used the occasion to announce his latest support for nursing education: a donation to Grimard Catholic College of Nursing Sciences in Kogi State. This gesture forms part of his sustained personal investment in the profession across multiple states.
Continued commitment through targeted donations
Obi’s support for nursing schools is longstanding and practical. Over several years he has visited and funded institutions in Kogi, Imo and Anambra, among others, providing direct financial assistance for infrastructure, training and student welfare.
Recent examples include:
- Multiple donations to the College of Nursing Sciences in Mbano, Imo State, totalling ₦20 million.
- ₦30 million split between two colleges in Anambra State.
- ₦15 million each to institutions such as St. Philomena College of Nursing in Edo State and Our Lady of Lourdes College of Nursing Sciences in Ihiala, Anambra.
- Earlier contributions of ₦10–20 million to colleges in Enugu and other states.
These donations, often delivered in person with cheques for specific projects such as solar power, scholarships or facility upgrades, demonstrate a consistent private-sector approach to strengthening nursing education. Obi has repeatedly stated that he visits more than 60 nursing colleges annually because investing in nurses is essential for national development.
Global recognition and the 2026 theme
Obi’s message aligns with worldwide observances of World Nurses Day. Leaders from India to the United Kingdom joined the celebrations under the theme Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives. Nurses worldwide shared stories of resilience, from frontline care during crises to personal journeys of professional growth.
In Nigeria, where nurses form the backbone of healthcare delivery yet operate with some of the highest patient ratios in sub-Saharan Africa, such high-profile recognition carries particular weight.
Why sustained investment matters
At Fellow Nurses Africa, we view Obi’s consistent actions and words as more than symbolic. Nurses across the continent deliver the majority of primary and hospital care, yet many work in under-resourced settings that affect both patient outcomes and staff well-being.
Targeted funding for nursing colleges improves training quality, increases graduate numbers and helps retain talent that might otherwise migrate. Obi’s model of direct, repeated support to institutions in Kogi, Imo, Anambra and beyond offers a practical blueprint for governments seeking to address staffing shortages and elevate healthcare standards.
We urge policymakers to match this private initiative with public investment: expanding nurse training slots, improving remuneration, equipping facilities and creating career pathways that value expertise.
To every nurse and midwife across Africa: your compassion and professionalism sustain our communities daily. On World Nurses Day 2026, we celebrate you and reaffirm our commitment to evidence-based advocacy that puts nurses first.
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*Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
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.
