NOUN Nursing Programme Reform Talks begin as the university meets NMCN to expand access and strengthen nursing education standards

The National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, held high-level discussions with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria over a proposed review of its Bachelor of Nursing Science programme, in a move aimed at expanding access to nursing education and strengthening healthcare manpower development across the country.

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The meeting, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, and an 11-member delegation, focused on aligning the university’s open and distance learning model with regulatory standards set by the council.

NOUN Nursing programme reform negotiations form part of wider efforts to address Nigeria’s shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.

Professor Uduma explained that the university’s mandate is rooted in inclusive education, noting that its learning structure is designed to accommodate Nigerians from diverse backgrounds.

He cited recent achievements, including the graduation of incarcerated students, as evidence of NOUN’s commitment to widening access to higher education.

He stated that the proposed framework would allow more candidates, including O’Level holders, to pursue nursing education while still meeting all professional and clinical requirements.

According to him, NOUN is prepared to provide adequate facilities and ensure supervised clinical training in line with regulatory expectations.

The Vice-Chancellor further assured the council that the institution would not compromise standards, stressing that open and distance learning remains a globally accepted model when properly regulated.

The NOUN Nursing Programme Reform Talks, he added, are intended to strengthen both access and quality in nursing education.

The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Helen Kwanashie, said the university possesses the academic capacity and infrastructure required to produce competent nursing professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

She noted that the initiative could help build a stronger pipeline of trained nurses from an early academic stage.

In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Shehu Usman Adamu, said all proposed training facilities would operate strictly under the supervision and approval of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

He commended the council for its continued regulatory oversight in maintaining professional standards.

Responding, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Hassan Ndagi, welcomed the proposal and acknowledged NOUN’s presentation.

He confirmed that the council would review the submitted framework and convene a technical meeting to determine the next steps.

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The engagement marks an early stage in what stakeholders describe as a potentially significant reform process for nursing education in Nigeria, with both institutions signalling willingness to collaborate on a sustainable and regulated expansion model.