Gombe Nursing Controversy: Community Health Nurse Named DNS Over PhD-Qualified Nurse

Early rumors falsely suggested that Nrs Idris was a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW), a non-nursing cadre, fueling outrage among nurses who feared a breach of professional boundaries. Fellow Nurses Africa has since confirmed that Nr Idris is an RN with a Community Health degree, not a CHEW. However, the clarification has done little to quell the unrest, as the NMCN’s Unified Scheme of Service, established at its 54th Board Meeting, explicitly requires a BNSc for directorate-level roles. Nurses advancing beyond CONHESS 12 in the Civil Service must hold a nursing degree from an accredited university, a standard Nrs Idris’s Community Health degree does not meet.

“This feels like a betrayal of our profession,” a nurse shared anonymously with Fellow Nurses Africa. “Nr Rona has a PhD and led us effectively as acting DNS. Why was she overlooked?” The decision to reassign Nr Rona, who had been serving as the overseeing DNS, to Deputy Director of Nursing Services has intensified the controversy, with many pointing to possible gender and religious bias. Nr Rona, a Christian nurse and recent candidate for NANNM National Treasurer, was widely expected to be confirmed as the substantive DNS. “Her qualifications are exceptional,” another nurse said. “Many believe her faith and gender played a role in this decision, and that’s deeply disheartening.”

Not all nurses oppose the appointment. Some argue that Nr Idris’s expertise in Community Health equips him to address Gombe’s unique healthcare challenges. “He’s a committed professional with valuable experience,” one nurse told Fellow Nurses Africa. “We should give him a chance to lead.” This divide has fractured the nursing community, with tensions running high as nurses debate merit versus procedural fairness.

When rumors of Nr Rona’s potential replacement surfaced, nurses wrote to the Gombe State Government, urging compliance with NMCN guidelines and a transparent, merit-based process. Their appeals were ignored, prompting calls for the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to intervene. Speaking to Fellow Nurses Africa correspondent, Nr Reuben Zirahgi, Founder of African Nursing Activist, a pressure group for nurses in Nigeria, decried the situation and called for calm. “This appointment undermines the standards we’ve fought for,” he said. “I urge nurses to remain united and pursue justice through constructive dialogue.”

The controversy comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s nursing profession, which is grappling with staffing shortages and global migration.

The Gombe appointment risks undermining these efforts, raising broader questions about fairness and professionalism. “This isn’t just about one role,” a nurse said. “It’s about what we tell young nurses aspiring to lead. Do qualifications matter, or do other factors decide?”

Fellow Nurses Africa calls on the Gombe State Government and NMCN to investigate the appointment, addressing concerns over guideline violations and allegations of bias. Transparency is essential to restore trust and uphold the nursing profession’s integrity.

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