Stakeholders in Nigeria’s nursing profession have called on government authorities to directly involve nurses in health policy formulation as part of efforts to address worsening working conditions, reduce brain drain, and improve staff retention in the country’s healthcare system.

The call was made during the maiden Nurses’ Week organised by the Jacaranda Cancer Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where professionals raised concerns over the increasing migration of Nigerian nurses abroad in search of better pay and improved working environments.

The Publicity Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives in Ogun State, Comrade Olusina Fasina, said many nurses are leaving the country due to poor remuneration, excessive workloads and limited career progression opportunities.

He warned that the continued migration of healthcare workers is worsening the shortage of nurses in Nigeria’s health system, placing additional pressure on those remaining in service.

Fasina estimated that tens of thousands of Nigerian nurses have relocated abroad in recent years, particularly to countries such as the United Kingdom, where working conditions are perceived to be better.

He urged governments at all levels to address what he described as “push factors” such as poor salaries and inadequate staffing, while also strengthening “pull factors” including competitive wages, training opportunities and improved workplace conditions.

According to him, Nigerian-trained nurses are highly sought after globally, and stronger retention policies are needed to ensure the country benefits from the investment made in their training.

Also speaking at the event, the Provost of the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences, represented by Dr Omobolanle Awonuga, called for urgent improvements in the welfare and working environment of healthcare workers across Nigeria.

She described nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system, noting that their contributions remain critical to effective health service delivery.

The Director of Nursing Services in Ogun State, Dr Amina Omobolanle, also highlighted the need for continuous training and capacity development for nurses, especially in cancer care, which she said is still largely managed on a palliative basis in Nigeria.

She emphasised that emerging innovations in healthcare require nurses to constantly update their skills in line with global best practices.

At the Jacaranda Cancer Centre, Head of Nursing Services, Nurse Dolapo Omotolani, commended the institution for recognising the role of nurses and providing a platform for them to contribute to cancer care delivery.

She pledged that nurses at the centre remain committed to improving patient care and advancing efforts in the fight against cancer in Nigeria.