NOUN produces over 65% of Nigeria’s graduate nurses—VC

Uduma Uduma, vice-chancellor at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has revealed that the institution produces over 65 percent of Nigeria’s graduate nurses, emerging as a major contributor to the country’s healthcare workforce.

Uduma made this known during the launch of the NOUN Emergency Health Centre at the institution’s model study centre in Abuja, highlighting the university’s growing role in expanding access to nursing education and addressing manpower gaps in the health sector.

The vice-chancellor said the launch marked the commencement of emergency health centres across 39 study centres nationwide as part of the first phase of the initiative.

“It is an ongoing process. All study centres will get these facilities for the students’ benefit because their lives are highly valued. I am happy that the Red Cross is training our staff,” he said.

Uduma emphasized that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria recently confirmed the figure to the university management.

“The institution will continue to expand access to education and healthcare support for Nigerians; even as the university management had approved the engagement of some nurses as volunteers,” he explained.

Besides, Uduma said the initiative would end situations where students struggle with health challenges during examinations and other academic activities.

“The centres would provide first aid and other basic clinical services,” he noted.

However, he emphasised that the emergency health centres would not replace health maintenance organisations (HMOs), but would stabilise patients before referrals to hospitals and other medical facilities.

The vice-chancellor promised that the number of centres with the facilities would double by August; and noted that the university planned to ensure that all NOUN study centres have emergency health facilities before the end of the year.

Moreover, Uduma said that the facilities would boost confidence among prospective students seeking admission into the university.

Hassan Mohamed, head of the university clinic, said the centres would handle basic medical cases and emergencies.

“Members of staff are already undergoing response to emergencies training, and the first aid personnel would undergo additional training programmes in the future,” Mohamed said.

In addition, he said, “Severe cases would be referred to hospitals after initial treatment at the emergency centres.”