Nineteen Nigerian Nurses Receive Nurse Educator Scholarships Through Support of NANNNA and Foundation

FEATURED IMAGE: Andrew Lingo, Executive Director of the Health Carousel Foundation, held a celebratory lunch with the leadership of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria at the recent ICN Congress in Montreal. Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, Secretary-General and Registrar, is shown seated closest to the window.

‍

June 16, 2023 - The National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA) announced that 19 nurses working in Nigeria will receive scholarships towards coursework, enabling them to become nurse educators registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). NMCN also approves this initiative which aims to support and empower colleges of nursing education and improve the staff strength of the institutions.

The nineteen students will be studying at seven universities across Nigeria:

• University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State
• University of Uyo
• Obafemi Awolowo University
• Nwafor Orizu College of Education
• National Open University in Abuja, Edo, and Ondo states

The list of recipients and the schools of attendance are detailed below.

National Open University, Abuja State State

• Uchechi Better Onua (Nee Anyaocha)

National Open University, Edo State

• Agho, Jemima Ayiri
• Asani Omosede Peace
• Nwogu Ifeyinwa Pascaline

National Open University, Ondo State

• Taiwo Sanusi Adeola

Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Anambra State

• Okafor Obianuju Makuochukwu (Nee Ezeokeke)
• Okoroikpa Miracle Ijeoma

Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State

• Adebola Bolarinwa Arike
• Fatanmi Similoluwa Judith

University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State

• Aladenola Folasade Fehintola
• Dare Olanike Temitayo
• Oladimeji-Olotu Racheal Bosede
• Taiwo Olajumoke Abosede

University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

• Ekeno Emmanuel Jacob
• Eno-Abasi Nkereuwem Obot
• Mbetobong Monday Udoidiong
• Tom Uduak
• Utoro Paulinus Akpan
• Uyama Udoreyin Asukwo

The scholarship recipients were selected based on their current nursing education involvement, future commitment to this role, and economic need. These recipients in this pilot program must also serve the nursing school students in Nigerian states where NANNNA has formed working partnerships. NANNNA, NMCN, and the foundation will evaluate the results of this initial program and determine how to proceed, which may include broadening eligibility to additional Nigerian states.

Enrollment in the programs begins in June and July. Completing the students' nursing educator capstone programs is expected to take 12 months.

Remedying the Global Nursing Shortage

In Nigeria, not unlike most of the world, a chronic shortage of nurse educators exacerbates the global nursing shortage that amounts to more than a 10 million headcount shortfall, even by modest estimates. The World Health Organization estimates as many as 13 million more nurses are needed. Programs like this, supported by Health Carousel Foundation, aim to address the global nursing crisis.

‍