Breaking: Ogun State seals unaccredited nursing institution in Ifo amid crackdown on illegal training
Ogun State authorities have shut down an unaccredited nursing institution in Ifo Local Government Area for operating without approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the regulatory body responsible for nursing education standards across the country.
The facility, known as Universal Public Health Science, was found to be offering programmes in Community Health, Public Health, and Nursing in substandard conditions, including a repurposed three-bedroom flat used as administrative and lecture spaces with inadequate equipment.
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The closure followed a joint monitoring exercise conducted by officials from the Ogun State Nursing and Midwifery Committee and the State Ministry of Health. Action was taken swiftly after an online alert from the official Ogun State Government account on X (formerly Twitter) and a whistleblower report sent directly to the NMCN, which was forwarded to state officials within hours.
During the inspection, the proprietor, Mr Elugbadebo Damilola Peter, did not dispute the unauthorised operations. The enforcement was led by Dr Serifat Aminu, Chairman of the State Nursing and Midwifery Committee and Acting Director of Nursing Services, under directives from the Honourable Commissioner for Health and NMCN Registrar Dr Ndagi Al Hassan.
Regulatory context and broader implications
The move is the latest in a series of enforcement actions by Nigerian states and the NMCN to combat the rapid rise of unregulated “mushroom” institutions exploiting demand for nursing qualifications, driven by global shortages and migration opportunities for healthcare workers.
Similar closures have occurred in Ogun (including Harvarde College’s nursing department in 2024 and iFaat College earlier that year) and in Lagos (Tower College of Health Sciences sealed in November 2025). Such facilities often lack qualified faculty, proper infrastructure, and clinical training partnerships, rendering certificates invalid and contributing to quackery risks in patient care.
Experts warn that graduates from unaccredited programmes face barriers to professional registration, employment, and international practice, while the proliferation undermines public trust in Nigeria’s nursing workforce.
Advice for prospective students
Authorities urge individuals considering nursing or related health programmes to verify accreditation status directly through the NMCN website or their state Ministry of Health before enrolling. Only NMCN-approved institutions meet the required standards for safe, competent training.
The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to ongoing monitoring to protect public health and the integrity of the nursing profession.
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