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THE Oyo State government, in partnership with the Society for Family Health, the Planned Parenthood Federation, and other organizations, has urged women to make family planning a norm, emphasizing that contraception provides families with the freedom to plan, the power to choose, and options for all.

During a speech at the 2025 World Contraception Day in Ibadan, organized by the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, the Society for Family Health, the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, and other partners, Mrs. Folashade Olatunde, the State Family Planning Coordinator from the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, emphasized that women should space their children for the benefit of both their own health and that of their children.

‘We are not advising them against having more children in the future. We want there to be a gap between each child to improve the woman’s health. Additionally, the health of the children will also benefit. We don’t want them to give birth every year, she stated.

According to her, family planning services are free and serve as a means to reduce maternal mortality rates.

Mercy Okeyode, State Programme Officer for the DISC 2.0 project in Oyo State at the Society for Family Health, explained that the celebration aimed to ensure women have access to all family planning options, enabling them to make informed decisions for their lives and families, prevent high-risk pregnancies, and reduce maternal mortality.

She declared, ‘The goal is to reduce the rate of abortions and unplanned pregnancies in the states. Contraception offers multiple benefits at various levels-for the individual, the family unit, and the nation as a whole.

‘We want to increase awareness and visibility of family planning throughout the state. Representatives from all 11 LGAs in Ibadan Metropolis are present at the celebration. We hope they will take these messages back to their respective local governments, intensify efforts to raise awareness, empower women to take charge of their health, and encourage men to support their wives in making informed choices for their families.’

In a statement, Mrs. Ajibola Adesope, the PPFN state clinic officer, reassured the public that family planning is about helping people decide when and how to have children, not about preventing them from having children.

‘Many people, due to the misconception that family planning is intended only for married couples, begin to restrict young people’s access to family planning services.

Unless you want to shy away from it, many unmarried couples also have unprotected sex. They, too, need protection from unintended pregnancy,’ Mrs. Adesope added.

Dr. Aderonke Atoyebi, the Medical Officer of Health for Ibadan Northwest Local Government in Onirike, told women during her health talks that a woman can recover from the stress of pregnancy and childbirth before choosing to become pregnant again if she allows sufficient time between pregnancies.

She urged increased support from husbands to enable women to space their children, enhanced training for healthcare workers on family planning, and greater government investment in health education for both women and men.

Dr. Atoyebi stated that health education is essential for dispelling myths and misconceptions about family planning, which will increase the utilization of family planning services.

A rally to raise awareness about the benefits of family planning and the availability of free family planning services was held as part of the 2025 World Contraception Day celebrations in marketplaces and communities.

Nigeria will showcase 105 of its brightest innovators at the Grand Finale of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 in London, as the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) described it as the nation’s most defining innovation moment of the decade.

The Director General of NBTI, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, announced this at a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, calling the initiative ‘a national movement, not just a competition.’

He said, ‘On October 9, 2025, in the city of London, 105 of Nigeria’s most outstanding innovators, selected from over 3,000 ground-breaking entries, will converge at the Hilton London Paddington to pitch revolutionary solutions across HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and more,’ Dr. Raji declared.

He added: ‘This is not merely a competition-it is a bold, ambitious, and coordinated effort to connect grassroots ingenuity with global capital; to match local innovation with international collaboration; and to catalyse a new generation of entrepreneurial problem-solvers powered by vision, excellence, and global ambition.’

The NextGen Innovation Challenge was launched on May 28, 2025, in Abuja by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.

A national showcase followed in July, where the top 105 innovators, representing every state and the FCT, presented their projects before an audience of policymakers, industrialists, investors, and diplomats.

According to Raji, the projects went through an international vetting process ‘led by Prof. Hari Mohan of London South Bank University, a world-renowned and award-winning inventor,’ ensuring what he called ‘transparency, global standardisation, and credibility.’

The innovations range from a smart wearable Bra-X for early breast cancer detection to AI-controlled drones for precision farming, ventilators capable of supporting six patients simultaneously, affordable clean energy systems, and next-generation financial technologies.

‘These innovations are proof that Nigeria’s creativity and problem-solving genius can compete anywhere in the world,’ the NBTI chief said.

Explaining the choice of venue, Dr. Raji noted that London was a hub for global capital and innovation.

‘London provides the ideal platform to connect Nigerian innovators with global venture capitalists, present their ideas to diaspora investors, network with European industry leaders and policy influencers, and unveil strategic innovation partnerships,’ he said.

The London finale will feature innovation pitches, a consortium project showcase-including the $1 billion Innovate Africa-Israel Solar Project-and global spotlights from SpinLab (Germany), Innovate UK, Zumah FinTech, and the Commonwealth Roundtable.

Keynote speakers will include the CEO of Tesla Group Europe, Dr. Shambhu Pokharel; the UK’s Global Entrepreneur Programme lead; Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Nnaji; and Amanda Frankel Haber of Innovation: Africa.

Raji expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda has rekindled the flame of innovation and empowered young Nigerians to dream beyond borders.’

He also commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the British High Commission, and state governors who sponsored innovators from their states.

He saluted Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, for providing subsidised and complimentary flights to London.

‘Your patriotism is unmatched, and your commitment to nation-building inspires us all,’ Raji said.

The DG also announced the launch of its Global Innovation App, designed to connect Nigerian innovators with diaspora markets and international investors.

Looking ahead, Raji revealed that the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 would be launched at the London finale, with entries opening in the first quarter of 2026.

‘Let the world take notice: Nigeria has arrived-not as a consumer of technology, but as a global leader in innovation. We are not exporting talents-we are amplifying solutions from Africa to the world,’ he clarified.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has revealed that 166 people have died from Lassa fever between January 1 and September 14, 2025.

The Case Fatality Rate is now 18.5 per cent, higher than the 16.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.

By epidemiological Week 37, the country had reported 7,673 suspected cases and 895 confirmed cases across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas.

According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, but likely exists in other West African countries.

The WHO explained that the virus is mainly transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces, while person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in health care settings without proper infection prevention and control measures.

The NCDC, in a report, revealed that ‘in week 37, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 13 in week 36 of 2025 to 11. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Kogi, and Anambra states.’

‘Cumulatively, as at week 37, 2025, 166 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.9 per cent).

‘In total for 2025, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 106 Local Government Areas.’

The agency said 90 per cent of confirmed cases were from Ondo (33 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (18 per cent), Taraba (13 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent), while the remaining 10 per cent came from 16 other states.

‘The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 96 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8,’ the report added.

The report further noted that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week, and that suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to the same period in 2024.

The NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response activities at all levels.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has said that the process for the appointment of judicial officers in the country now enjoys greater transparency.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is also the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), said this while presenting a paper, titled: ‘Innovations in judicial practice: Embracing change for a better future,’ at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association Triennial Conference held in Banjul, The Gambia.

A statement by the media aide to the CJN, Mr Tobi Soniyi on Thursday, said the NJC, at its 108th meeting held between April 29 and 30 approved a landmark policy to publish the names of candidates under consideration for appointment as judicial officers and to invite public input.

The CJN, in her presentation, explained that, the policy adopted by the NJC was to introduce an additional layer of transparency into the process of appointing judges by ensuring that members of the public and other relevant stakeholders can raise objections, provide information, or endorse nominees before appointments are finalized.

According to her, it is a deliberate effort to strengthen accountability, enhance public trust, and align Nigeria’s appointment procedures more closely with international best practices, including those recommended in the Constitution Hill Guidelines.

The Constitution Hill Global Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments, published in September 2024, provide globally for a set of baseline principles tailored to the singular role of apex courts as the final arbiters of constitutional interpretation and guardians of democratic governance.

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that, members of the public are already taking advantage of the initiative as shown in the last exercise for the appointment of judicial officers conducted by the NJC.

In her words, ‘In a plural society such as Nigeria, with over 200 million citizens across different ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities, the visibility of diversity on the Supreme Court bench strengthens public confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.’

The CJN noted that despite several efforts to strengthen appointment of judicial officers, challenges still remain, some of the challenges she said, include executive delays in acting on recommendations for appointments made by the NJC, which could impair the court’s capacity to sit at full strength.

Other challenges, she added, include the requirement for security vetting and the interpretation of federal character requirements, which often sparks debate about whether merit is being compromised for inclusivity.

The CJN however, assured the audience, among whom were Chief Justices of Commonwealth countries, that Nigeria will continue to appoint to the Bench only people who satisfy constitutional, professional, and ethical standards.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian women through the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing women as crucial to nation-building.

Speaking at the 9th edition of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW 2025), held on the eve of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, praised the resilience and contributions of Nigerian women to national development.

‘Our ever-supportive and resilient Nigerian women, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute the 9th Edition of the Voice of Women Conference. The story of our nation is incomplete without the strength of her women,’ Tinubu said.

Guided by this year’s theme, ‘Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action’, he emphasised that his administration stands resolute in empowering women as protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and catalysts for building a one trillion-dollar economy.

Vice President Kashim Shettima echoed the President’s message, describing the theme as both ‘timely and timeless.’

He noted that women remain the backbone of the nation’s resilience and the vanguard of its future.

‘Under the steadfast leadership of Mr. President, we remain committed to unlocking the full potential of Nigerian women as builders of families, leaders of enterprise, and key drivers of national renewal,’ Shettima said.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in her keynote address, highlighted the importance of the Reserved Seats Bill, describing it as a strategic necessity rather than an act of benevolence. She said the bill would align Nigeria with international best practices and institutionalise women’s participation in governance.

She commended President Tinubu for prioritising women, children, and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Agenda, and applauded the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for supporting the bill.

The Convener of the VOW Conference and Awards, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, urged President Tinubu to ensure the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, saying history would remember his administration and the 10th Assembly as champions of women’s rights.

‘Your leadership is needed to turn promises into policy and back words with action. The passage of the bill is a crucial step towards promoting gender balance and inclusive governance in Nigeria,’ she said.

Sonaiya noted that grassroots women hold the largest voting bloc but often have their political choices shaped by men, calling for stronger collective action among women regardless of political, ethnic, or economic differences.

Also speaking, the President of the League of Women Voters, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, raised concerns over the increasing deaths of female political leaders, particularly in Lagos State, warning that insecurity, stress, and intimidation continue to discourage women from public service.

‘When women are absent in governance, our democracy is weakened. When leadership becomes a graveyard for women, who will dare to walk the path tomorrow?’ she asked.

Sokoto State Government has suspended the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), Dr Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, with immediate effect.

Her suspension was conveyed in an official letter dated October 2, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, concerning the PHC Executive Secretary role.

According to the letter, Governor Ahmed Aliyu approved the decision and directed Dr Bilyaminu Sifawa to assume office immediately as Acting Executive Secretary of the agency.

‘Dr. Bilyaminu Sifawa will take over the office with immediate effect as Acting Executive Secretary,’ the letter read in part, indicating a temporary replacement for the PHC Executive Secretary position.

Although no reason was given for Dr. Tambuwal’s suspension, the move signals a major shake-up in the leadership of the state’s primary health sector by changing the PHC Executive Secretary.

The SSPHCDA is pivotal to delivering quality primary health services, especially in rural communities across Sokoto.

Stakeholders say the leadership change could impact ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access for residents.

The National Vice Chairman (Northwest), African Democratic Congress (ADC) , Mallam Jafaru Sani has said his party can and will defeat the ruling APC in Kaduna and other states in the zone with unity, displine and grassroots mobilization.

In a statement titled ‘ Nigeria at 65: A Call for Collective action ‘ issued by the National Vice Chairman of ADC in North West Mallam Jafaru Sani and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday noted that the party is building a formidable coalition in the seven states in the zone to defeat the ruling APC.

‘ In Kaduna State and across the Northwest, the ADC is building a formidable coalition of leaders and citizens committed to real change.

‘ Iam proud to announce that the leadership of ADC in Kaduna and Northwest comprising of people of proven integrity and competence, are united in their vision of a future where we can achieve our dreams of a prosperous nation with equal opportunities to all citizens. ‘Together, we will work tirelessly to defeat the APC in 2027, both in Kaduna and at the national level.

‘We acknowledge the concerns raised by Salihu Lukman in his recent press release, where he questioned ADC’s capacity to unseat the APC in Kaduna. His caution is valid but it is not a verdict. It is a challenge. And we accept it.

‘ The truth is simple, ADC can and will defeat APC if we work together. Unity, discipline, and grassroots mobilization will be our tools.’ He said

‘We call on all ADC supporters, members, and sympathizers to rally around our leadership. Let us strengthen our structures, deepen our engagement, and amplify our message.

‘The rescue mission is not just about Kaduna it is about Nigeria. It is about restoring dignity to governance and giving power back to the people.

‘Let this Independence Day be a turning point. Let it be the day we recommit ourselves to building a Nigeria that works for all.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, saying that a review of the address showed that he had nothing to tell Nigerians.

The party claimed that even the President himself did not believe in what he read to Nigerians.

The reaction came as the PDP reiterated that its scheduled November 15 Ibadan Elective National Convention would hold despite alleged attempts by forces both within and outside the party to cause ‘distractions’ for it.

The National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, giving the PDP’s assessment of Tinubu’s 65th independence anniversary speech in Abuja, described it as replete with ‘lies’, ‘boring’, ‘uninspiring’ and allegedly did little to impress any Nigerian.

‘The speech, to say the least, was pathetic, boring and uninspiring. Typical of the APC’s propaganda, it was full of lies and poor statistics.

‘Even the President didn’t believe in what he was reading. He was saying things that were completely incorrect. The whole speech was at variance with the reality on the ground’, Ologunagba told a news conference.

The PDP said the ‘most shocking’ part of the speech was when Tinubu said the country’s economy had improved and that Nigerians were faring better than when he took over the reins of power in 2023.

‘The President saying the economy is working and has turned the corner. That was shocking. Is he talking about turning the corner on insecurity, the corner on parents not being able to pay school fees?’, the spokesman asked.

He accused the APC-led government of returning Nigeria to ‘bondage’ of poor economic management and insecurity, years after the PDP had freed the nation from such problems.

For instance, Ologunagba cited the country’s debt burden, recalling a point in Nigeria’s history when it exited the debt trap during the PDP days.

The party called on the President to address the nation again to speak on the obvious questions they expected him to answer: ‘From subsidy withdrawal alone, how much has been saved exactly? We don’t know. We keep hearing of borrowings, and we are going deeper and deeper into problems. What have the loans been spent on?’

Ologunagba added, ‘Nigerians and the PDP, we seek a special broadcast on the details of the subsidy removal, details of loans and the application of those loans.’

On the Ibadan convention, the party noted that the distractions, which it blamed on the APC and some collaborators in-house, would go ahead as planned because ‘the train has arrived in Ibadan; we are far ahead of the distractions.’

Commenting on the seeming disagreement between the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, exhibited by Anyanwu countering decisions taken by the NWC, Ologunagba stated that it would appear that the secretary lacked understanding of the provisions of the PDP’s constitution.

He explained that while the National Chairman, as Chief Executive Officer of the party, could summon any meetings and direct any actions to be taken by the party, the secretary is an administrative officer whose primary duty is to implement directives or decisions taken by the party.

The spokesman further explained that it would be unheard of to say decisions taken at properly-convened meetings of the NWC, such as the postponement of state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi, as well as the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council, would be overturned by the secretary.

He added that Section 35 of the PDP constitution empowers the National Chairman to summon and preside over the NWC and caucuses of the party, powers not shared with the secretary.

He also explained that the chairman could delegate such powers to any other NWC member whenever necessary.

‘So, the secretary can’t summon meetings or authorise any meetings’, Ologunagba stated, adding, ‘So, if the party says there is no Congress in Cross River or a dissolution of an Exco, why should an individual oppose it?

He dismissed claims that the NWC never met or took any decisions, saying that 16 out of 18 members of the committee met.

In the case of Akwa Ibom, the PDP said it observed a ‘misnomer’ playing out, where Governor Umo Eno, who had defected to the APC, was bent on controlling the PDP structure in the state by attempting to fuse the two parties.

According to Ologunagba, allowing the arrangement to continue would be in violation of Section 10(6) of the PDP’s constitution, ‘which does not allow any member of the party to align with another group to undermine the party.’

Last week, the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notifying it of the decision of the NWC to postpone state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi States to a new date after due consultations.

But, Anyanwu immediately wrote to the INEC, urging the commission to ignore Damagum’s letter because the congresses scheduled for Saturday, September 27, would be held.

The congress was indeed held in Cross River, returning Mr Venatius Ikem as the state chairman, though on Monday, September 28, the NWC disowned the congress, calling it a ‘carnival.’

On Tuesday this week, the PDP announced the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom exco. But just like it happened last week, the national secretary countered the decision again by writing to the dissolved exco members to ignore the NWC.

Investigations showed that the PDP moved to reposition the party in Akwa Ibom, following the defection of Governor Eno to the APC in an apparent bid to cut ties between him and the state exco led by Mr Aniekan Akpan.

Akpan, not willing to let go and now backed by some influential party leaders in Abuja, is staying put in office, despite his sacking by the NWC.

Before now, Governor Eno, in a leaked video, had spoken of his intention to work with both the structures of the PDP and the APC in the state for the unity of the state.

‘As a matter of fact, contrary to some insinuations, I want to run both parties (APC and PDP)? Far from it. And what is wrong with being interested? We would not leave the PDP for thieves to hijack and use it against us.

‘If anybody thinks we are going to do that, they have something coming. We will lead the structure of the party (PDP) so that they can work together (with APC). So that people don’t come from outside and think that Mr Eno has moved, let me come and hijack the party. Let the structure of the party remain.

‘They have done their congresses. That’s my position,’ the governor had revealed.

Just days ago, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, had praised Governor Eno’s decision to dump the PDP, an action seen by many political watchers as absurd in the ongoing struggle for the control of the soul of the once-largest political party in Africa.

Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has demanded a written retraction, public apology, and the sum of N100bn as compensation from Hon. Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, over a series of ‘defamatory and malicious’ publications he made against him on Facebook.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Otti accused Chikamnayo of persistently making ‘unjustified demonic online defamatory posts’ against him on his Facebook account titled ‘Iyierioba Chikamnayo.’

The publications, which include posts captioned ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and disaster!’ posted on September 22, 2025, and ‘Fighting Promax!!!!’ on September 21, 2025.

Others, such as ‘Old or new Abia?’ shared on September 14, 2025, ‘Sabbath Message’ on September 13, 2025, and ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!’ on August 15, 2025, were cited as examples of libelous attacks against the governor.

Ajala of Deeplaw Associates said, ‘Our client for the avoidance of doubt is the only Governor and Chief Executive of a State within the 36 States of Nigeria who bears the name Alex Chioma Otti, thus no effort is required by members of the public to link all your spiteful, false and defamatory attacks to our client either by direct name calling or by other variant of the name Alex Chioma Otti by way of caricature, pun, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia and/or metonymy.’

The SAN affirmed that Otti’s integrity has remained sterling over the years, citing his ‘distinguished career’ in the banking sector, where he rose to become Managing Director/Chief Executive of Diamond Bank Plc before venturing into politics.

The letter recounted how Otti was confronted with the post on September 29, 2025, while in Abuja attending the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on Abia State’s Attorney-General.

Ajala said Otti’s attention was called to Chikamnayo’s Facebook wall, where he found ‘a cocktail of disparaging publications calculated to instigate public hatred against him.’

Ajala, in the letter, stressed that his client ‘unequivocally denies in their entirety your malicious defamatory materials published online,’ adding that ‘he (Otti) has no criminal indictment whatsoever or conviction by any court of law and thus declares unequivocally that the content of your online publications generally and specifically. as blatant falsehood.’

The SAN further argued that Chikamnayo’s actions amounted to ‘unquantifiable mental torture, depression, denigration, brutal destruction of his reputation built over the decades’ and ‘utterly disfigured and diminished our client’s standing in the eyes and estimation of right-thinking persons.’

Governor Otti’s demands include a written retraction of all defamatory posts to be published on the same Facebook wall as well as in four national dailies, namely ThisDay, Punch, The Nation, and National Ambassador Newspapers.

It also requested a written apology to be published on the same Facebook wall, compensation of N100bn for reputational damage, and an undertaking to cease from any further defamatory publications.

Ajala warned: ‘Take very careful notice that should you fail, refuse, and/or ignore to comply with our demands as contained herein within seven (7) days from the delivery of this letter. we shall without further recourse to you seek legal redress for the appropriate remedy against you for your malicious online libelous publication against our client graphically recounted herein.’

The Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences has called on the Federal Government to exempt its institutions from the recently announced seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new polytechnics and allied institutions.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 2025 Quadrennial Conference in Lokoja, the Provosts warned that applying the ban to health institutions would worsen the country’s healthcare manpower crisis. The statement, signed by the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Nuhu Anyegwu, was made available to journalists on Thursday.

The conference noted that the restriction would ‘create an intergenerational gap of at least seven years in terms of shortage of health and medical manpower in various communities across Nigeria.’

The Provosts stressed that Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences are professional health training institutions with prior accreditation from regulatory councils and should not be categorised as allied institutions subject to the ban.

They also applauded the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for streamlining the accreditation process through digitalisation, but urged the Ministry of Education and NBTE to stop multiple accreditations by professional councils, which they described as burdensome.

The conference further expressed concern over the exclusion of Health Colleges from TETFUND’s funding schedule, calling for the passage of the TETFUND Act Amendment Bill to include their institutions as beneficiaries.

The Association re-elected its officers during the conference, with Dr. Johnson Adebayo Ojo and Malam Adamu Ahmadu emerging as Chairman and Secretary-General, respectively. It also resolved to establish a research journal and set up a Media Committee to enhance visibility.

With Nigeria’s population exceeding 200 million, the Provosts argued that expanding healthcare education remains critical to reversing brain drain and improving access to quality healthcare.

‘The Federal Government must support the growth and development of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences if the healthcare needs of Nigerians are to be met,’ the communiqué concluded.