Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has appealed to newly matriculated nursing students to remain in the state after completing their training, stressing the urgent need to curb the growing trend of medical brain drain, popularly known as the “japa syndrome.”
Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Enugu State College of Nursing for the 2024/2025 academic session, Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia—highlighted the government’s substantial investment in health and education. He urged the students to see their training as a call to serve, rather than a ticket to seek greener pastures abroad.
“We don’t train you and after spending all that money in infrastructure, the first opportunity you get, you leave our healthcare facilities,” the governor stated. “One thing we are very particular about is how we improve the service conditions so that when you go through the effort of getting your certificate, you don’t leave our state.”
The matriculation ceremony marked a milestone for the institution, now accredited as a Higher National Diploma (HND) awarding college. A total of 240 students 120 each from the Parklane and Awgu campuses were formally welcomed into the institution.
Governor Mbah pointed to the state’s budgetary priorities as a reflection of his administration’s commitment to building a strong healthcare system. “If any of you can go back to our budget in 2024 and 2025, the highest investment is in education and health,” he emphasized.
He explained that the transformation of the college was part of a larger strategy to turn Enugu into a hub for medical tourism, with significant investments in technology, infrastructure, and training. “This bold move and the can-do spirit initiative of the administration led to guaranteeing the future of the people and transforming the state into a hub of medical tourism,” Mbah said.
He also recounted the process that led to the school’s elevation, starting with the invitation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) for accreditation. This action resolved a two-year indexing delay and enabled students to participate in professional exams.
“This transformation required considerable investment and commitment, which the government wholeheartedly provided,” he noted. “The growth reflects the government’s dedication to broadening access to quality nursing education across the state.”
In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Yomi Jaye, commended Mbah’s leadership for driving reforms in the health sector. He noted that Enugu was among the first states to attain collegial status for its nursing school, a move that allows graduates to earn multiple certifications, including Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM), and Higher National Diploma (HND).
Dr. Jaye revealed that student enrollment had surged from 50 to 240, with plans to further increase capacity in line with the government’s goal to establish 260 new Primary Health Centres across the state.
He also pointed to the construction of world-class facilities such as the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital and the Enugu International Hospital as part of the state’s broader efforts to discourage the exodus of healthcare professionals.
“These initiatives are meant to create an environment where our best-trained hands will no longer feel the need to leave, but instead, thrive and serve right here in Enugu,” he added.
