Reps Pass Bill for Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Lagos

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, amid concerns over shortages of healthcare professionals and the migration of trained nurses and midwives abroad.

The bill passed its second reading during plenary on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. It was sponsored by Benjamin Olabinjo, who represents Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House.

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Olabinjo Highlights Nursing Shortage

Speaking in support of the proposed legislation, Olabinjo said hospitals and other healthcare facilities across Nigeria needed more qualified nurses and midwives to provide adequate care for patients.

He argued that the migration of trained medical professionals to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States had further strained Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“The bill will increase the number of qualified nurses and midwives available to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country,” Olabinjo said.

He added that Nigeria was losing trained professionals faster than it could replace them, stressing the need to expand opportunities for nursing and midwifery education.

Bill Targets Training and Local Opportunities

According to the lawmaker, establishing the proposed institution in Ifako/Ijaiye would create additional opportunities for young people in the constituency and Lagos State to pursue careers in nursing and midwifery.

He said access to training closer to home could reduce the financial burden associated with relocating to distant institutions to study.

“Training close to home means a real career for young people in this constituency and Lagos, without the cost of moving far away to study,” he said.

Olabinjo maintained that improving healthcare delivery required investment in the professionals responsible for providing frontline services.

“We cannot fix our healthcare system without the people who run it day and night. This bill invests in them,” he added.

Legislative Process Still Underway

The bill’s passage at second reading means the proposal has advanced in the legislative process, but it does not mean the college has been established.

Further legislative consideration and the required approval processes would need to be completed before the proposed institution could become operational.

The proposal comes amid wider concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, as the departure of trained professionals continues to raise questions about staffing levels, training capacity and the delivery of essential medical services.

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