By Rotimi Odofin
In alignment with national health priorities, the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan, and global commitments towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Kogi State Government, through its Ministry of Health, has adopted the Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025-2030.
During the coordination of the adoption of the Strategic Directions documents for implementation in Kogi State and the inauguration of the Technical Working Committee, the Honourable Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza emphasized the importance of a competent and well-motivated nursing and midwifery workforce. He highlighted that an enabling environment is crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and stressed the need for multisectoral collaboration for successful implementation. The state government is committed to partnering with stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes for the state’s health sector. Dr. Adeiza urged other stakeholders to actively support and implement the NSDNM 2025-2030 to ensure a resilient, qualified, and empowered nursing and midwifery workforce capable of meeting the health needs of the people of Kogi State.
Dr. Adeiza reiterated that nursing and midwifery professionals constitute the largest component of Nigeria’s health workforce and play a critical role across the continuum of care—from community and primary healthcare to secondary and tertiary services. Despite their central role, the profession faces challenges related to workforce shortages, uneven distribution, capacity gaps, leadership development, quality of education, and retention. The NSDNM addresses these challenges through a coordinated, evidence-informed, and results-oriented approach.
The Commissioner added that a
well-motivated nursing and midwifery workforce, supported by an enabling environment is crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”
In his welcome address, Mr. Steven Momoh Aziz, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, lauded the NSDNM initiative for its potential to transform the national healthcare delivery system over the next four years. He noted that its implementation would significantly accelerate both state and national health priorities. Mr. Aziz also commended the state government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for its political commitment to strengthening and developing the state health sector.
Stakeholders and partners, in their respective goodwill messages, praised the development of the NSDNM document as a crucial tool for the advancement and stability of nursing practice in Nigeria. They pledged to collaborate with the Technical Working Committee to ensure optimal outcomes in health service delivery in Kogi State.
Earlier in her presentation on the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025-2030, Mrs. Martina Oguche, the Director of Nursing Services for Kogi State, emphasized that the document is a nationally endorsed strategic framework designed to systematically enhance nursing and midwifery in Nigeria over a five-year period. It provides a comprehensive roadmap for advancing the profession in alignment with national health priorities, the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan, and global commitments towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. She highlighted that the primary objective of the NSDNM 2025-2030 is to fortify leadership, education, regulation, practice, and workforce performance in nursing and midwifery.
