Kaduna establishes post-basic nursing college in Rigasa

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has signed a law establishing the Kaduna State College of Post-Basic Nursing Sciences in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area, as part of efforts to address shortages of specialist nurses and improve healthcare delivery.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, describing the institution as an investment in skilled manpower development under the state government’s ongoing health sector reforms.

According to the statement, the college is expected to expand advanced nursing education, train specialists in critical areas and improve maternal and child healthcare, emergency response and intensive care services across the state.

Under the Kaduna State College of Post-Basic Nursing Sciences, Rigasa Law, 2026, the institution will operate as a specialised tertiary training college, with its main campus in Rigasa.

The law also provides for the establishment of additional campuses, schools and training centres, subject to regulatory approvals.

Programmes

Maiyaki said the college would offer specialised programmes in midwifery, psychiatric and mental health nursing, perioperative nursing, paediatric nursing, accident and emergency nursing, intensive care nursing, public health nursing and nursing administration.

He said the governor’s assent to the legislation was intended to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce by addressing personnel shortages and improving clinical expertise.

Beyond professional training, the college will promote research, continuous professional development and partnerships with teaching hospitals, universities, specialist facilities and other accredited institutions, according to the statement.

The law also establishes a Governing Council to provide strategic direction and institutional oversight, as well as an Academic Board responsible for maintaining standards in research and professional training.

Maiyaki added that all programmes offered by the institution would be subject to accreditation and regulatory requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and other relevant authorities.

Healthcare reforms

The establishment of the college forms part of the Kaduna State Government’s broader healthcare reform agenda, which includes upgrading 255 primary healthcare centres, rehabilitating 16 general hospitals and investing in the recruitment and development of healthcare workers.

Maiyaki said investments in healthcare infrastructure must be matched with qualified professionals capable of delivering specialised medical services, particularly in underserved communities.

He said the college would help develop a pool of specialist nurses, strengthen healthcare institutions and contribute to improved health outcomes across the state.

The statement added that the state government was committed to developing the institution into a centre of excellence for specialist nursing education, research and clinical training.

It said the initiative was intended to support Uba Sani’s vision of expanding access to quality, people-centred healthcare services across Kaduna State.