Provosts Seek Health Colleges’ Exclusion From 7-Year Embargo
The Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences has urged the Federal Government to exempt their institutions from the seven-year ban.
The call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2025 quadrennial conference.
The communiqué was shared on Thursday by Dr Nuhu Anyegwu, spokesperson of the association.
The conference, which drew provosts nationwide, expressed concern that the ban would worsen the brain drain that has plagued Nigeria’s healthcare sector for decades.
According to the association, the ban would cause a seven-year intergenerational gap, deepening the shortage of health and medical manpower across Nigerian communities.
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The provosts stressed that colleges of health technology and nursing sciences are not allied institutions and should therefore be excluded from the federal government’s ban.
They also commended the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for easing accreditation procedures and digitalising the accreditation process for greater efficiency.
The association resolved to continue urging the Federal Ministry of Education and NBTE to exempt Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences from the moratorium.
Referencing their prior approval and accreditation by professional health councils and boards, the provosts appealed for exemption from the federal government’s policy.
They further urged the Ministry of Education to end multiple accreditation exercises conducted by professional health and medical councils or boards.
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The conference expressed concern at the exclusion of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences from the TETFUND funding framework.
The Provosts called on the Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education to support the TETFUND Amendment Bill.
The bill seeks to include the Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences in the funding schedule.
The association also resolved to establish a journal for publishing research works and create a media committee to publicise its activities.
They appealed to the government to urgently address the critical shortage of healthcare workers threatening Nigeria’s health sector.
The conference re-elected its officers and filled vacant positions. Dr Johnson Ojo and Mr Adamu Ahmadu emerged as Chairman and Secretary General, respectively, among others.
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On August 14, the federal government imposed a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The government cited the proliferation of under-utilised institutions, overstretched resources, and declining academic quality as justification for the ban.