By Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika
1.0 Protocol
Mr. Speaker, distinguished Honourable Colleagues, I am honoured to lead the debate on A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada.
This Bill is of great significance, especially in light of the priority accorded to effective healthcare service delivery under the 10th House of Representatives Legislative Agenda.
The School of Nursing, Abuja, was established in 1981 at a temporary site in Suleja, Niger State, with the General Hospital Suleja serving as its clinical base under provisional approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. The school commenced with forty-six (46) pioneer student nurses under the leadership of its first Principal, Mr. Alhassan Abdul, supported by five tutors and one clinical instructor.
The institution remained in Suleja until 1990, when it was relocated to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital (now the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital), using the hospital’ s administrative block for classrooms and offices. In 1991, it received full accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and by 1994 it moved to its permanent site.
It is important to acknowledge the instrumental role played by Mrs. Saidi Mohammed, then Matron in-charge of Training at the Federal Capital Development Authority. Her foresight, advocacy, and determination were pivotal to the establishment of this institution, which today continues to meet the healthcare needs of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
Presently, the school comprises six (6) key departments: Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Primary Health Care, Family Health, and General Studies.
2.0 Background
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, this Bill is proposed against the backdrop of the multidimensional challenges affecting the health and education sectors in the Federal Capital Territory.
The institution at Gwagwalada remains the only College of Nursing Sciences in the FCT, yet it operates without a solid legal framework and continues to grapple with inadequate instructors, limited facilities, and insufficient capacity to cater to the rapidly expanding population.
This shortage of qualified nursing personnel has left our primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare institutions unable to meet patient needs either by World Health Organization (WHO) or UNESCO standards. Without a world-class, legally established College of Nursing Sciences in the FCT, the government’s efforts toward effective healthcare delivery and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain hampered.
The proposed College currently runs a 3-year Basic Nursing Programme and an 18-month Post Basic Nursing Programme. It also houses a science laboratory, computer laboratory with internet facilities, library, and nursing laboratory-all of which enhance teaching and learning. By formalizing the institution through this Bill, we avoid the significant costs associated with acquiring new land, constructing new facilities, and procuring additional equipment.
3.0 Objectives of the Bill
The Bill seeks to:
1. Establish the Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing Sciences, Gwagwalada to train and certify nursing personnel in cardiovascular, dermatology, gynaecology, nephrology, paediatric, orthopaedic, public health, neonatal, geriatric, mental health, critical care, emergency, and other allied nursing fields.
2. Provide a robust platform for advanced research across all fields of nursing sciences.
3. Facilitate institutional collaboration with relevant health institutions nationwide to improve research capacity and strengthen the professional development of healthcare personnel.
4.0 Structure of the Bill
The Bill contains 26 clauses, arranged into five parts and a schedule.
Part 1: Establishment, constitution, and functions of the proposed College.
Part 2: Transfer of property belonging to the College.
Part 3: Statutes governing the College.
Part 4: Provisions for the supervision and discipline of staff to ensure high standards, orderliness, and quality service delivery.
Part 5: Miscellaneous and general provisions, including legal matters, interpretation, and citation.
5.0 Conclusion
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, I sincerely thank you for your kind attention.
I humbly solicit your support for the expeditious passage of this Bill, which will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in the Federal Capital Territory and contribute to national development.
Thank you.
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Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika-MHR.
Member Representing AMAC/BWARI Federal Constituency FCT Abuja
