FNA News, LagosNigeria, 3rd November, 2026.
Nigerian-born, Canada-based nurse Princewill Aghedo has taken centre stage at a major international nursing education conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, joining emerging nursing leaders from across the world to discuss the future of nursing leadership, education and healthcare policy.
Aghedo was among five international panellists selected for a Nursing Now Challenge discussion at the 10th International Nurse Education Conference (NETNEP 2026), which is taking place from 1 to 4 November at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The conference, which attracted approximately 1,000 delegates from 56 countries, with 1,420 research abstracts submitted, reflecting its international reach and the growing interest in transforming nursing and midwifery education.
The event, hosted by Elsevier, brings together nursing educators, researchers, policymakers, clinical practitioners and healthcare leaders to explore how the profession can respond to emerging challenges in healthcare delivery.
Aghedo’s participation places him among a group of young nursing professionals contributing to international discussions on how leadership opportunities can be expanded beyond traditional institutional structures.
Princewill Aghedo joins nursing leaders from five countries
One of the conference’s notable sessions was the Nursing Now Challenge panel, which examined how recommendations from the World Health Organization’s State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report could be translated into practical leadership opportunities for student nurses and early-career professionals.
The discussion was chaired by Professor Gemma Stacey of Nottingham Trent University, who also serves as Programme Director of the Nursing Now Challenge.
Aghedo joined four other emerging nursing leaders: Zipporah Iregi from Kenya, Tsung-Po Huang from Taiwan, Ryoka Goto from Japan and Tim Mitnik from Germany.
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Together, the panellists explored how young nurses can contribute more effectively to healthcare leadership, institutional development and national policy decisions.
The discussion addressed the barriers facing early-career nurses, including limited mentorship, unequal access to professional opportunities and the challenges of securing meaningful representation in leadership structures.
It also examined how international leadership programmes can help young professionals build confidence, develop professional networks and influence healthcare systems.
In a statement published on its official LinkedIn page, the Nursing Now Challenge celebrated the contributions of the panellists and highlighted their role in connecting global nursing recommendations with the experiences of emerging professionals.
The organisation described the session as an opportunity to explore how international nursing policies could create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of nurses.
From Nigeria to Canada: A growing international presence
For Aghedo, the appearance at NETNEP 2026 marks an important moment in his professional journey and involvement in international nursing leadership.
With Nigerian roots and a professional base in Canada, his participation highlights the growing contribution of internationally mobile nurses to global healthcare discussions.
Beyond clinical responsibilities, nurses are increasingly becoming involved in research, education, health policy, leadership development and professional advocacy.
His participation also brings attention to the potential of Nigerian-trained and African-origin nurses to contribute to international discussions about the future of their profession.
For many young Nigerian nurses, career aspirations have traditionally focused on clinical employment, professional migration and advanced academic qualifications.
However, the increasing involvement of nurses in international leadership initiatives demonstrates that professional development can extend into policy influence, healthcare governance and institutional transformation.
Aghedo’s involvement in the Nursing Now Challenge panel illustrates how emerging professionals can participate in these conversations rather than waiting until they occupy senior management positions.
Global nursing education leaders gather in Edinburgh
NETNEP 2026 marks the tenth edition of the International Nurse Education Conference.
The conference is being held under the theme “Resilient Futures: Transforming Nursing and Midwifery Education for a Changing World.”
The event focuses on strengthening nursing and midwifery education through research, innovation, leadership and international collaboration.
It is co-chaired by Professor Mary Sidebotham of Griffith University, Australia, and Professor Gemma Stacey of Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom.
Prominent speakers listed in the official conference programme include Professor Aisha Holloway, Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer; Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE of the International Confederation of Midwives; and Sonia Kelly of Cleveland Clinic London.
The programme features keynote addresses, scientific poster presentations, oral research sessions, rapid presentations and interactive workshops.
Among the areas receiving attention are artificial intelligence in nursing education, digital transformation, simulation-based training, professional development, workforce sustainability and patient safety.
A major focus is how nursing institutions can prepare students for healthcare environments that are increasingly influenced by technology, changing population needs and workforce pressures.
The conference also offers researchers opportunities to present findings, exchange evidence and develop collaborations across institutions and countries.
Why young nurses must have a seat at the leadership table
The Nursing Now Challenge discussion comes at a critical period for the global nursing workforce.
The World Health Organization’s State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report identifies education, employment, leadership and service delivery as key areas requiring investment.
Although international attention has often focused on nursing shortages and workforce migration, leadership remains equally important to the profession’s future.
The challenge is not simply to train more nurses. It is also to ensure that nurses have the authority, resources and opportunities to influence the systems in which they work.
For student nurses and early-career professionals, these opportunities are not always readily available.
Across many healthcare systems, leadership roles remain concentrated among senior professionals, while younger nurses have limited involvement in decisions affecting training, staffing, workplace conditions and professional regulation.
This raises an important question: How can nursing education prepare future leaders if students and newly qualified nurses are rarely involved in leadership and decision-making?
The discussions in Edinburgh highlight the importance of addressing this gap.
Structured mentorship, leadership education, professional networking and institutional representation can provide younger nurses with the skills and experience required to influence healthcare delivery.
For African nursing institutions, the conversation is particularly relevant.
While increasing numbers of nurses are pursuing higher qualifications and international careers, leadership development must also become a priority within undergraduate education, clinical training and professional organisations.
Providing young nurses with opportunities to contribute to policy discussions could strengthen professional representation and encourage innovation across healthcare institutions.
Beyond the conference: Building international nursing partnerships
NETNEP 2026 is also providing opportunities for delegates to establish professional relationships and explore research collaborations.
The conference’s academic programme is supported by Nurse Education Today and Nurse Education in Practice, two international journals focused on nursing education and professional development.
An official conference dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, 3 November, at the National Museum of Scotland, where delegates will have further opportunities for networking and professional engagement.
The event is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, 4 November.
For Aghedo and other emerging nursing leaders, participation in such international gatherings offers opportunities to exchange experiences, build professional relationships and contribute to discussions that may influence nursing education and policy.
Their involvement also demonstrates the value of creating international platforms where nurses at different stages of their careers can contribute meaningfully.
A significant message for Africa’s next generation of nurses
Aghedo’s appearance at NETNEP 2026 carries significance beyond individual professional recognition.
It reflects the growing visibility of Nigerian-born nurses on international platforms and the opportunities available for younger professionals to contribute to global nursing leadership.
For nursing schools, regulatory bodies and professional organisations across Africa, the message is equally important.
Developing the next generation of nursing leaders requires more than encouraging academic advancement or clinical excellence.
It demands deliberate investment in mentorship, leadership training, research opportunities and meaningful participation in healthcare decision-making.
Nurses should not have to wait until the final stages of their careers before their perspectives are considered valuable.
As international nursing leaders continue discussions in Edinburgh, Aghedo’s participation offers an example of how emerging professionals can contribute to shaping the future of their profession.
The future of nursing will not be determined by the number of nurses trained alone, but also by how effectively the profession prepares, empowers and includes its next generation of leaders.
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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.
