Bill for Proposed Federal College of Nursing in Oyo Scales Second Reading

FNA NEWS, 12th Of NOVEMBER, 2026

The proposed institution in Ibadan North is expected to expand access to nursing and midwifery education, create training opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

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The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Ibadan North, Oyo State, after it passed its second reading at the National Assembly.

The proposed institution is part of efforts to expand access to professional nursing and midwifery education, address healthcare workforce shortages and improve the distribution of qualified health professionals across Nigeria.

The private member’s bill, sponsored by Hon. Fola Oyekunle, who represents Ibadan North Federal Constituency, was presented for debate during plenary.

Leading the debate, Oyekunle called on his colleagues to support the proposed college, describing it as an important investment in Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and human capital development.

He noted that the country continued to face challenges with the availability and uneven distribution of qualified healthcare professionals.

According to the lawmaker, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly highlighted gaps in Nigeria’s health workforce, particularly the unequal distribution of skilled professionals across different parts of the country.

He argued that establishing the proposed institution would help address these gaps by increasing opportunities for professional nursing and midwifery training.

Proposed College to Expand Access to Nursing Education

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Oyekunle explained that the proposed Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery would provide young Nigerians, particularly those from Oyo State and neighbouring states, with greater access to professional training.

He noted that the institution could reduce the need for prospective nursing and midwifery students to travel long distances in search of admission opportunities.

The lawmaker also highlighted the important role nurses and midwives play in healthcare delivery.

He pointed to their contributions to maternal and child healthcare, emergency response, disease prevention, primary healthcare services and patient recovery.

According to him, expanding access to professional training would help strengthen these essential healthcare services.

Lawmaker Links Proposed College to Maternal and Child Health

The sponsor further argued that the proposed institution could contribute to improving maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing the number of competent midwives available to serve in hospitals, primary healthcare centres and underserved communities.

Midwives play an essential role in antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal services and the early identification of complications during pregnancy and delivery.

However, expanding training opportunities must go hand in hand with quality education, adequate clinical training facilities and effective professional regulation to ensure that graduates meet the required standards of practice.

Proposed Institution Could Create Jobs in Ibadan North

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Beyond its potential contribution to healthcare education, Oyekunle said the proposed college could stimulate economic activities in Ibadan North.

He explained that establishing the institution would create employment opportunities for academic staff, healthcare professionals, administrative personnel and other support workers.

The project could also attract economic activities to the host community while contributing to the development of educational and healthcare infrastructure in Oyo State.

Bill Aligns With Nigeria’s Nursing and Midwifery Development Agenda

The lawmaker said the proposed legislation was consistent with the Federal Government’s Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030.

The national strategy, launched in October 2025 by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with technical support from WHO, provides a framework for strengthening nursing education, workforce planning, professional regulation, leadership and healthcare delivery.

WHO identified the expansion of nursing and midwifery education, improved workforce distribution and better retention of qualified professionals as important priorities for strengthening Nigeria’s health system.

Oyekunle maintained that establishing the proposed college would complement these national objectives.

He described the proposed institution as a strategic investment in human capital development and national health security, stressing that the benefits could extend beyond Ibadan North and Oyo State.

Bill Referred to House Committee for Further Legislative Action

Following the debate, the bill passed its second reading and was referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions for further legislative consideration.

This means the proposal has progressed to another stage of the legislative process. However, it has not yet become law, and the proposed Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery has not been formally established.

Further legislative consideration and the necessary government processes will be required before the institution can become operational.

What This Means for Nigerian Nurses and Prospective Students

The proposed Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Ibadan North represents another opportunity to expand Nigeria’s nursing and midwifery education capacity.

For prospective students, additional accredited training institutions could improve access to professional education and reduce pressure on existing admission spaces.

For the nursing profession, however, the bigger issue goes beyond establishing more colleges.

Nigeria needs sustained investment in nursing education, qualified teaching staff, modern skills laboratories, adequate clinical placement opportunities and strong regulatory oversight.

The country must also address the conditions that influence nurses and midwives to leave the workforce or seek employment abroad.

Producing more nurses without creating sufficient employment opportunities, supporting professional development and improving working conditions may not adequately address the country’s healthcare workforce challenges.

As the bill proceeds through the legislative process, attention will turn to whether the proposal receives the necessary approvals and whether its implementation will deliver the promised improvements in nursing education and healthcare delivery.

For now, its passage through second reading marks a step towards the proposed expansion of nursing and midwifery education in Oyo State.

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