The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to expanding training institutions and increasing student intake for midwifery programmes, while standardising and modernising midwifery education to align with global best practices. This was stated by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during an event commemorating the 2026 International Day of the Midwife, themed “One Million More Midwives,” organised by the ministry in Abuja.
Prof. Pate, represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, emphasised that midwives remain the cornerstone of maternal and newborn healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and rural communities. He noted that no health system can provide optimal maternal and child healthcare services without an adequate number of skilled midwives.
Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery
The minister disclosed that the ministry had launched the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030, a comprehensive national roadmap designed to strengthen education, expand workforce capacity, leadership, and service delivery for nurses and midwives. According to him, the strategy aims to create employment opportunities, remove barriers to recruitment, and promote equitable deployment of midwives, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Continuous Professional Development
Pate said the ministry had prioritised continuous professional development for midwives through investments in competency-based training and life-saving skills to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns. He added that the government was targeting high-burden areas through the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to ensure that no woman dies during childbirth. Other programmes aimed at improving reproductive health include the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).
“All these interventions, with the involvement of midwives, are intended to improve care and the country’s health indices,” he said.
Addressing the Global Shortage of Midwives
Pate noted that the theme of the event was timely and appropriate, as it highlighted the critical shortage of midwives globally, including in Nigeria. He stressed that scaling up the midwifery workforce remains a critical strategy for improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.
The minister also highlighted ongoing partnerships to ensure that midwives are equipped with the tools, supplies, and supportive work environments required to deliver quality healthcare services. “There is improvement in welfare, motivation, and retention efforts, recognising that a supported workforce delivers better care,” he said.
Government Commitments
Pate acknowledged the support of development partners and pledged that the government would:
- Scale up the production of midwives to meet national demand
- Strengthen primary healthcare systems where midwives play a central role
- Invest in digital health systems to support service delivery
- Improve working conditions and professional development opportunities
- Deepen community engagement to promote skilled birth attendance
Recognition of Midwives' Contributions
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director of Teaching Hospitals, Dr Okpako Okpikpi, said the event offered an opportunity not only to recognise the tireless efforts of midwives, but also to reflect on the urgent need to strengthen the country’s health system. “Today, we gather to celebrate the dedication, resilience, and invaluable contributions of midwives to the health and well-being of women, newborns, and families across Nigeria. Midwives remain at the heart of our healthcare system, providing essential care before, during, and after childbirth, often in the most challenging conditions,” she said.
She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to supporting midwives through improved training, better working conditions, and sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure.
