“Shun Japa”: Ogun Urges 52 Newly Inducted Nurses to Stay as Government Opens Door to Jobs
FNA NEWS, 23rd OF OCTOBER, 2026
The Ogun State Government has urged 52 newly inducted nurses from Chrisland University, Abeokuta, to resist the temptation to seek employment abroad, offering them an opportunity to apply for jobs within the state.
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The appeal was made by the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, during the induction of the newly qualified nurses into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Dr Tomi Coker, who was represented at the ceremony by Dr Omowunmi Awonuga, Deputy Provost of the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, Abeokuta, encouraged the graduates to remain in Nigeria and contribute to improving healthcare delivery.
The commissioner said the state needed more nurses and was willing to employ qualified professionals who applied for available opportunities.
“Our doors are open for nurses to apply. We need more nurses in Ogun State,” she said, encouraging the graduates to stay in Ogun State and Nigeria.
She added that the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for professional practice, improving healthcare workers’ welfare and working conditions, and supporting continuing professional development.
Ogun seeks to retain newly qualified nurses
The appeal comes amid continued concern over the migration of Nigerian health professionals to countries offering employment opportunities and potentially better working conditions.
For many Nigerian nurses, international migration, popularly known as Japa, is influenced by a range of factors, including remuneration, career progression, access to specialist training, workplace conditions and professional opportunities.
Ogun’s approach seeks to encourage newly qualified nurses to consider opportunities within the state rather than immediately pursue employment abroad.
However, the commissioner’s remarks should not be interpreted as confirmation that all 52 graduates have already received appointment letters. The reported statement invited the nurses to apply and expressed the government’s willingness to employ them.
The distinction matters because an invitation to apply is different from a confirmed job offer, and the number of graduates who eventually secure employment will depend on the available positions and recruitment process.
Beyond jobs: What will make nurses stay?
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The Ogun Government’s appeal raises a wider question for Nigeria’s healthcare system: are employment opportunities enough to retain nurses?
Recruitment is an important first step. Health facilities need adequate staffing to deliver safe and effective patient care. Yet long-term retention also depends on whether nurses can build sustainable careers in the health system.
Reliable remuneration, safe staffing levels, access to equipment, supportive management, opportunities for specialisation and further education, and protection from workplace violence are among the issues that can shape nurses’ decisions about where to practise.
The commissioner’s commitment to improving welfare and working conditions is therefore significant. The challenge will be translating that commitment into measurable improvements that nurses can experience in their daily work.
For newly qualified nurses, the prospect of employment at home may be attractive. But retaining them over the long term requires more than recruitment promises. It requires an environment in which they can practise safely, develop professionally and receive fair compensation for their work.
Chrisland University VC also urges nurses to stay
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, also encouraged the newly inducted nurses to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the development of the country’s healthcare sector.
She urged them to demonstrate professional courage, embrace evidence-based practice and speak up when they encounter unsafe medical practices.
Arulogun stressed that nurses should not blindly follow instructions when they have reason to believe that a patient’s life may be at risk.
She also encouraged the graduates to explore opportunities in research, education, entrepreneurship, public health and healthcare leadership.
Her message placed equal emphasis on professional responsibility and the need for nurses to develop the knowledge and confidence required to protect patients.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform, and support nurses across Africa.
Durowoju Abisola is a registered nurse, nurse writer and On-Air Correspondent at Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA), passionate about nursing leadership, health education and advocacy.
Through journalism, storytelling and content creation, she amplifies important conversations around nursing, healthcare and the experiences of nurses in Nigeria. She is committed to using her voice and professional knowledge to educate the public, challenge misconceptions and inspire the next generation of nurses.
