UK-Based Nigerian Nurse Faith Adetula Honoured with Prestigious National Award
By FNA News| 21st August, 2026.
A UK-based Nigerian nurse, Faith Adetula, has been honoured with the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Silver Award, a prestigious national recognition celebrating her outstanding contribution to professional development and clinical excellence in England’s social care sector.
Adetula, who has served at Peel Gardens Residential and Nursing Home in Colne, Lancashire, for the past five years, received the award during a national celebration event, where Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Deborah Sturdy congratulated her via video call.
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The recognition marks another significant milestone for a Nigerian nurse making an impact within the UK’s healthcare system and highlights the expanding role of nurses in advanced clinical practice beyond traditional hospital settings.
National recognition for advancing nursing practice
The Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Silver Award recognises professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment to learning, and meaningful contributions to improving care within England’s adult social care workforce.
Speaking after receiving the award, Adetula described the recognition as both humbling and motivating.
“It is really a great honour to feel seen and recognised in this way, and I am so grateful to Sanctuary Care for nominating me,” she said.
Her achievement reflects a growing movement towards empowering care home nurses with advanced clinical responsibilities, an area increasingly recognised as critical to meeting the healthcare needs of an ageing population.
Breaking new ground in care home nursing
Earlier this year, Adetula became Sanctuary Care’s first registered nursing home nurse to qualify as a non-medical prescriber after completing a programme at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
The qualification enables her to independently prescribe medications for residents, a level of clinical autonomy that remains relatively uncommon within many care home settings.
For residents, this means faster access to appropriate treatment and reduced delays in clinical decision-making, while strengthening the role of registered nurses as autonomous practitioners within multidisciplinary teams.
Reflecting on the milestone, Adetula said the achievement represents more than personal success.
“It is an honour to be part of a team that truly values professional growth and clinical excellence.
“This training and the support around it have shown me that care home nurses are not only capable of advanced practice; we are essential to the future of social care nursing.”
She also acknowledged Sanctuary Care’s investment in her development, describing the award as “just the beginning” of the next phase of her clinical journey.
Next step towards advanced clinical practice
Adetula’s professional progression is set to continue next month when she begins a fully funded MSc Advanced Practice Apprenticeship.
Upon completion, she will become one of Sanctuary Care’s first nurses progressing towards advanced clinical practice roles through the organisation’s apprenticeship pathway.
The programme reflects wider efforts across the NHS and adult social care sector to expand advanced nursing roles, improve workforce retention, and increase access to high-quality patient care.
Praise from Sanctuary Care leadership
Emily O’Hara, Director of Quality and Chief Nurse at Sanctuary Care, said Adetula consistently exemplifies excellence in nursing practice.
“I am incredibly proud of Faith and delighted to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.
“We nominated her because she consistently demonstrates what outstanding nursing looks like in a care home setting.”
O’Hara added that Adetula’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to continuous learning make her an outstanding example of how care home nurses are helping reshape the future of adult social care.
Why this matters
Adetula’s achievement reflects an important shift within the UK healthcare workforce, where registered nurses in social care are increasingly taking on advanced clinical responsibilities traditionally associated with other healthcare settings.
For internationally educated nurses, particularly those from Nigeria, her recognition also underscores the growing contributions African nurses continue to make across the UK’s healthcare system through leadership, innovation, and clinical excellence.
As adult social care evolves to meet rising healthcare demands, nurses like Faith Adetula are helping demonstrate that care homes are becoming centres of advanced nursing practice as well as compassionate resident care.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
