Being a Paper presented On the 20th May, 2025 at College of Health Technology, Calabar
Protocol
Innovating Healthcare: Nigerian Nurses as Change Makers and Solution Providers
1, Introduction
At the heart of Nigeria’s health care delivery system are Nurses, who are the most populous group of health professionals uniquely positioned to drive transformative changes in the health sector,
Traditionally seen as caregivers working with other professionals,but the trend has changed, The Nigerian nurses are increasingly assuming leadership roles as innovators, advocates, educators, researchers, and policymakers. In this , discussion, we shall explore the evolving role of Nigerian nurses as change makers and solution providers, examining how they are spearheading innovation in health-care, overcoming systemic challenges, and redefining patient care in a rapidly changing world.
Today, Nigerian nurses work in diverse settings: hospitals, clinics, schools, industries, and communities. They form the backbone of primary health-care delivery, particularly in rural areas where physicians are scarce.
However, for decades, the potential of nurses has been undermined by;
systemic challenges, including limited professional autonomy,
inadequate training infrastructure,
poor remuneration,
and a lack of representation in decision-making processes.
Despite these challenges, Nigerian nurses have continued to rise to the occasion, driving innovations that directly impact patient care, healthcare delivery, and public health outcomes.
Nigerian Nurses as Innovators in Healthcare Delivery
Innovation in healthcare goes beyond technology; it encompasses new models of care, creative problem-solving, and system improvements that enhance quality and access. Nigerian nurses are leading innovation in community health outreach programs, especially in rural and underserved areas. They designing mobile clinics, immunization campaigns, and home-based care programs and reach populations that might otherwise be neglected. For example, during polio eradication campaigns, community health nurses led door-to-door immunization drives, coordinated local logistics, and built trust among hesitant populations.
b. Task Shifting and Expanded Roles
Due to the shortage of physicians, especially in rural areas, task shifting has become a pragmatic solution. Nigerian nurses have embraced expanded roles, providing services traditionally reserved for doctors—such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) management, maternal and neonatal care, and chronic disease monitoring. Nurse-led clinics have emerged as efficient models for delivering HIV care and antenatal services, reducing waiting times and improving treatment adherence.
c. Use of Mobile Technology and e-Health Tools
In response to Nigeria’s growing mobile connectivity, nurses are leveraging digital health tools to monitor patient outcomes, schedule follow-ups, and deliver health education. Projects such as mHealth Nigeria have involved nurses in the dissemination of maternal health information through SMS, improving prenatal and postnatal care uptake. Digital innovations are also empowering nurses to collect data for surveillance and research.
3. Nurses as Leaders in Health System Reform
Beyond clinical care, Nigerian nurses are increasingly engaged in health system reforms and policy advocacy. Their proximity to patients and communities gives them firsthand insight into systemic failures and opportunities for improvement. Key areas of leadership include:
a. Policy Advocacy
Nurse-led organizations like the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) advocate for better working conditions, regulatory reforms, and increased health sector funding. Nurses have been at the forefront of campaigns for universal health coverage, family planning access, and maternal health legislation.
b. Educational Reforms and Professional Development
Nigerian nurses are pioneering efforts to raise the standards of nursing education and practice. With the upgrading of nursing schools into degree-awarding institutions, nurses are pushing for competency-based curricula that emphasize leadership, research, and inter-professional collaboration. Programs like the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) and postgraduate specialties are producing a new cadre of highly skilled nurse leaders.
c. Research and Evidence-Based Practice
The integration of evidence-based practice (EBP) into nursing care is gaining ground. Nigerian nurses are conducting research on local health challenges—from maternal mortality to mental health and infectious disease control. Their findings inform clinical guidelines and community interventions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
5. Challenges Facing Nigerian Nurses in Their Role as Change Agents
Despite these achievements, several challenges hinder Nigerian nurses from reaching their full potential as innovators and leaders:
a. Brain Drain and Workforce Shortages
Thousands of Nigerian nurses emigrate annually in search of better working conditions, remuneration, and professional respect. This “brain drain” has depleted the health system of experienced personnel and increased the workload for those who remain.
b. Gender Bias and Professional Hierarchy
Nursing, traditionally perceived as a female-dominated profession, often suffers from gendered stereotypes. In many institutions, nurses are excluded from decision-making roles, relegated to subordinate positions despite their competence. Infighting among the various nursing practitioners.
c. Infrastructure and Funding Deficits
Innovations require enabling environments. Many nurses work in facilities with poor infrastructure, inadequate medical supplies, and limited access to training or research funding. These limitations stifle creativity and affect care delivery.
d. Limited Autonomy and Recognition
Although nurses play pivotal roles in patient care, they often lack the autonomy to make clinical decisions or implement new care models without physician approval. This undermines their capacity to act as true change agents.
6. The Way Forward: Empowering Nigerian Nurses for the Future
The nursing and midwifery council of nigeria MUST revise the curriculum of pupil nurses and retraining of the older nurses to reflect comtemporary global health care practices.
This will fully harness the potential of Nigerian nurses as change makers and solution providers.:
a. Policy and Legislative Support
The Nigerian government and health regulatory bodies must enact policies that recognize and protect the expanded roles of nurses. The implementation of the Nurses and Midwives (Establishment) Act, coupled with supportive labor laws, can ensure fair treatment, better working conditions, and professional autonomy.
b. Strengthening Nursing Education and Research
Upgrading nursing schools to full-fledged colleges and universities, introducing doctoral-level nursing programs, and promoting interdisciplinary research will equip nurses with the knowledge and tools to innovate. Continued professional development should be encouraged through scholarships, fellowships, and international exchange programs.
c. Promoting Leadership and Representation
Nurses should be represented at all levels of healthcare planning and policymaking—from hospital management boards to national health councils. Leadership training should be embedded in nursing curricula to prepare nurses for executive roles.
d. Investing in Technology and Infrastructure
Healthcare facilities must be equipped with the necessary tools and technologies to support innovation. Nurses should be involved in the design and implementation of health tech solutions, ensuring that digital tools align with frontline realities.
e. Public Awareness and Professional Image Building
Changing societal perceptions of nursing is essential.student nurses should be treated with dignity. Media campaigns, school outreach programs, and public health education can highlight the impact of nurses as leaders and innovators. Encouraging male participation and diversity in nursing will also challenge outdated stereotypes.
Conclusion
In the journey toward a resilient and equitable healthcare system in Nigeria, nurses stand as indispensable pillars of change. Far from being passive caregivers, they are emerging as innovators, leaders, and strategic thinkers who craft solutions to the most pressing health challenges. Whether by designing community-based interventions, leading policy reforms, or leveraging digital tools, Nigerian nurses are reshaping the healthcare landscape from the inside out.
To fully realize this transformative potential, there must be deliberate efforts by government, institutions, and society to invest in nursing, elevate the profession’s status. Nurses are not just part of the system, but the driving force behind its progress.
Nursing is more than a profession. It is calling grounded in purpose, compassion, and leading transformative changer across the healthcare system.
Thank you
Joe Obi Bisong RN, RPN, RNT, BSc(Hons), MSC
e-mail: [email protected]
08066670557
Chief Joe Obi Bisong is a male, a retired Nurse, Educator, Scholar, Farmer and Politician.
Former Leader, Boki Legislature, One time Cross River State PDP Publicity Secretary.
He was Senior Special Assistant to CRS Governor, and also Special Adviser Environment CRS Governor.
He served as Director General Caterpillar Movement, and Deputy DG of the PDP Governorship Governorship campaigns ,2023.
He is an Environmental Resource management researcher. He is married with children.
Holder of several honorary awards and chieftency titles. His hobbies include: Arbitration, Driving, table tennis and intellectual discuss.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Chief Joe Obi Bisong, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agents or the organization the author works for.
