By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The proprietor of Yagongwo College of Nursing Sciences, Kuje, Dr. Adamu Jatau Noma, has called on the Senate to enact legislation that will encourage government support for private health training institutions, stressing that government alone cannot shoulder the burden of developing the sector.
Speaking in an interview at the college, Dr. Noma described funding as the biggest challenge facing the establishment and sustainability of nursing schools in Nigeria.
“The funding required to establish a school at this level is enormous. We pray for good-spirited individuals to partner with us and support our vision so that we can continue to grow,” he said.
Despite the financial challenges, Noma expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the institution, noting that the college has maintained strong student enrollment.
“We have enough enrollment and consistently fill our admission quota. We are grateful to Almighty God for that. Today, the school is widely recognized as one of the leading colleges of nursing sciences in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged the Senate to use legislative instruments to compel both federal and state governments to support private individuals investing in healthcare education.
“Legislators can make this happen through appropriate laws. They can encourage state and federal governments to support schools and individuals contributing meaningfully to the country’s development, like what we are doing here,” he said.
According to him, governments should naturally support institutions helping to reduce pressure on public schools and healthcare facilities.
“Government alone cannot do it. When private individuals invest in initiatives like this, they deserve support from both the executive and legislative arms of government,” he added.
Citing budgetary concerns, Dr. Noma questioned the level of funding allocated to the health sector. He noted that out of the ₦8.3 trillion budgeted in 2023, only ₦402.75 billion was allocated to healthcare, lamenting the persistent gap between budgetary allocations and implementation.
He also called on the government to identify and partner with Yagongwo College, noting that the institution is fully registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and the National Board for Technical Education.
“Government should develop policies that support private institutions like ours,” he said.
On possible areas of intervention, Noma suggested government assistance in the provision of instructional materials, infrastructure, and student accommodation.
“Government can help by constructing hostels or accommodation for our students. Renting a two-bedroom apartment around here is very expensive,” he said, adding that such support would enable the college to reduce tuition fees.
He expressed openness to public-private partnerships but warned that excessive bureaucracy often undermines such arrangements.
“I welcome partnerships, but government bureaucracy can be frustrating. In my view, a workable model should give private investors greater operational control to ensure efficiency,” he said.
