The House of Representatives has passed a bill for second reading seeking to establish a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency, Benjamin Olabinjo, was debated during plenary on Wednesday.

The proposed institution is expected to provide specialised training, research and continuing education in nursing, midwifery and related healthcare fields.

Leading the debate, Olabinjo expressed concern over the shortage of nurses and midwives in the country, noting that the migration of trained professionals to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States had further strained Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to Olabinjo, Lagos State, with its large and growing population, requires more institutions capable of producing qualified healthcare personnel.

Under the proposed legislation, the college would offer professional certificates, diplomas, degrees and post-basic qualifications in nursing, midwifery and related specialities.

The institution would also be empowered to admit students, conduct examinations and research, organise academic programmes and provide continuing education for practising professionals.

The bill further provides for the establishment of a governing council, a School of Nursing and a School of Midwifery, alongside principal officers responsible for the institution’s academic and administrative activities.

Olabinjo said the college would strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly maternal and child health services, by producing more skilled professionals.

He argued that increasing the number of trained midwives would help reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths, especially in communities where access to skilled birth attendants remains limited.

Beyond healthcare delivery, the lawmaker said the institution would create educational and employment opportunities for young people in Ifako/Ijaiye and other parts of Lagos State.

Appealing to his colleagues to support the legislation, Olabinjo maintained that sustained investment in healthcare professionals was essential to improving the country’s health system.

The lawmaker urged the House to pass the bill for second reading and refer it to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.

If passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, the legislation would provide the legal framework for establishing the federal institution.

The proposed college is expected to expand the country’s capacity to train nurses and midwives, although its eventual impact would depend on funding, accreditation, implementation and the availability of qualified teaching staff.