A Professor of Nursing and Dean of the School of Nursing Sciences at Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Christiana Sowunmi, has emphasized the importance of strengthening nursing education at all levels in Nigeria.
She noted that this is imperative due to the vital roles nursing professionals play in today’s evolving healthcare systems.
According to her, “Nursing is more than a profession—it is, indeed, a calling.”
Nurses, she observed, serve not only as caregivers but also as educators, advocates, and collaborators. Without them, the healthcare system cannot function effectively.
The don emphasized that the nursing profession is the backbone of patient-centred care, promoting wellness and providing support across all health conditions and age groups.
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Sowunmi shared her thoughts and perspective as a guest lecturer at a recent public lecture organized by the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos.
She presented a paper titled, “Proliferation of Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria: The Perceived Gains and Pains.”
While she acknowledged the rapid increase in the number of nursing training institutions in the country in recent years, she described the development as “a double-edged sword.”
According to her, although the proliferation opens up opportunities for aspiring nurses and helps address workforce shortages, it also presents challenges in terms of quality assurance, infrastructure, and regulatory oversight.
Speaking on the gains, opportunities, and growth, the don highlighted key benefits of expanding nursing education in the country.
She stated that the expansion would increase access for aspiring nurses to acquire knowledge and essential skills to join the workforce.
Sowunmi also observed that Nigerian-trained nurses are increasingly sought after globally, attributing this to their high level of adaptability and resilience, despite facing numerous socio-economic challenges.
On the challenges, the guest lecturer highlighted issues such as inadequate faculty, poor infrastructure, limited clinical exposure, a shortage of teaching aids, simulation laboratories, and experienced educators.
She noted that these challenges often make it difficult to maintain quality control and meet both national and international standards.
However, the guest lecturer proposed solutions to help Nigeria navigate these challenges.
These, according to her, include regular accreditation and quality assurance measures, increased investment in clinical facilities and simulation labs, and strategic workforce planning to align the number of trainees with actual employment needs.
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She also stressed the need for financial aid and scholarship programs for nursing students, as well as the promotion of research and innovation within the profession.
She said that taking these steps would significantly strengthen nursing education in Nigeria for the betterment of all.
In her remarks at the event, the President of the Aesthetics Practitioners Guild of Nigeria (APGON), Mrs. Sandra Sylvester, noted that APGON is always willing and ready to collaborate with and support stakeholders in nursing and related fields to enhance the healthcare system in the country.
She stated that the group represents a body of certified medical estheticians, nurses, and allied healthcare practitioners, setting the standard for safe, scientifically guided aesthetic procedures in Nigeria.
Sandra commended Trinity University for organizing the lecture and for initiating a degree-based academic programme in aesthetics, saying such efforts would positively impact the nursing and medical professions in the country.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Clement Kolawole, expressed delight that the university remains consistent in holding public lectures as envisioned.
He noted that this latest edition, organized by the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, is the third in the series, following similar efforts by the Faculty of Basic, Medical and Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences.
He appreciated the guest lecturer for accepting the invitation, noting that her views and insights would offer fresh knowledge and perspectives on the subject matter.
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