Nursing Graduates of National Open University Should not Entertain Any Fear - NANNM President

One of the greatest Challenges of Nursing profession in nigeria is our system of education. The present situation has a lot of limitation characterized by non availability of adequate number, and evenly distributed higher institution of learning for nurses in nigeria, drastic shortage of qualified personnel while many nurses are willing to further thier education.

The precarious situation has led many nurses to go into the volatile issue of studying 'allied courses' to nursing, the implication of what we are battling with till today.The stakeholders have however resolved to assist the association and the nursing and midwifery counil of nigeria in designing a more pragmatic abridged program to provide an academic link for willing and eligible graduates of our schools of nursing to be able to scale up and further their education without let or hindrance.

The solution lies in pursuance of degree courses in nursing science for our professional growth and development.While concerted efforts are on going and at advanced stage on actualization of NBTE Programs to provide academic certification for our registered nurse programs.


Open and distance learing is another way out of our education bottle neck in nigeria.Therefore, the national open university is a welcome development and all hands are on deck to clear the problem of accreditation while the graduates of the institution shouuld not entertain any fear.

However, following series of complaints from some nurses that their managements especially in some of the teaching hospitals refused to accept the validity of the degreee certificates awarded to nurses by the national open university of nigeria for the successful completion of the nursing program.

NANNM reported the matter to the board of the nursing and midwifery council of nigeria.The board delibrated on it, resolved and directed the management of the N&MCN to write a circular to convey the validity of the certificate as the program was approved by the national university commission.


The current suspension of admission into the school for want of a re-new accreditation is another challenge before NANNM and would be pursued accordingly with the cooperation of the N&MCN.

The nursing and midwifery council of nigeria is also working towards undertaking an accreditation visit and ensure that the program meet the expected standard.

SOURCE: AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE NANNM NATIONAL PRESIDENT ABDURAFIU ALANI ADENIJI ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FORMAL OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL NURSES WEEK ON 12TH MAY, 2014 AT THE BARCELONA HOTEL , WUSE 11 ABUJA

NANNM CEASE-FIRE BY Solomon Danmori

The current cease-fire by NANNM has elicited various reactions from Nurses around Nigeria. Most of these reactions seem to be on the negative, with lots of nurses feeling betrayed by the officials of NANNM. This did not come as a surprise seeing the level of corruption in Nigeria these days, one is quick to assume a compromise. We must give them the benefit of hindsight being in the forefront of our collective struggle. 

Labour activities are carried out like warfare, using strategies and tactics, to out manoeuvre the opponent. The opponent will not seat idle at all, they are also having their own strategies and tactics. As Sun Tsu the Chinese sage wrote in the book, ‘’THE ART OF WAR’’ said that ‘’all warfare is based on deception’’, It is obvious that our leaders must be weary of the deceptions of our government and it seems that is the reason for our fear of a compromise. 

The war of IAP Award has been a long standing one, with many battle fought at different point in time. Both legal, diplomatic, media and labour uprising battles have been fought at different time or the other. NANNM has been winning these battles, and now we are at a point where one can say the last battle is at hand to get a full implementation of this award. Nevertheless, the terrain now has changed, we are now in a democracy, there is now social media and news now travels faster than lightning. It means our modus operandi must change to meet current challenges.

NANNM must not be seen to be insensitive to the pains of Nigerian masses; therefore, if there is any sign of show of commitment from the Government to the struggle the union must have to reciprocate the gesture. Moreover, the ultimatum given to the government and strike notice was not in all intent to have a strike but to put pressure on the government to do the right thing. No union want to go on strike it should be a last resort and an avoidable one at that.

The mere fact that the strike notice has been extended is not a sign of failure, it means many more things. Drawing conclusions will be pre-emptive and prejudicial to say the least. A strike threat usually is conditional and if the conditions are answered, then the goal has been achieved. Going on with the strike will amount to illegality and it will change the tide of public opinion. We need the good opinion of the public, as that is the only way our struggle will make an impact. After all, strikes are meant to draw the sympathy of the public to put pressure on the government. It is imperative therefore, that we do not give the government the opportunity to turn the tide against us. 

Strategically as Sun Tsu said ‘’Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near’’. Forget the mockery from our detractor who think we are weak, let them believe what they one to believe. When the time comes, they will be caught unaware. 

WE MUST KEEP THE FAITH AND HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW AND ON OUR LEADERSHIP. 

ALUTA CONTINUE, VICTORIA ARCERTA.