A strong call for unity, leadership, and systemic reform echoed at the 10th Annual Health Week Symposium of the University of Lagos Nursing Students’ Association (NUNSA), held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Themed “Mentes fortes, Ductus fortes: Strong Minds, Strong Leaders – Passing the Torch to a New Era,” the symposium drew healthcare students, professionals, and policymakers to reimagine the future of nursing and healthcare in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of Nursing Services for Lagos State, Mrs. Olusola Aketi, emphasised the importance of unity within the nursing profession. She urged nurses across specialities to avoid division and work collaboratively for better outcomes.
“Whether in anaesthetics, emergency, or perioperative nursing, we must operate as one. Unity is our strength,” she said.
Mrs. Aketi highlighted key challenges such as internal disunity, poor remuneration, and lack of professional recognition, which she noted have contributed to attrition in the sector. She advocated for improved policies, including task-shifting and accurate documentation practices, to enhance efficiency and care delivery.
“Documentation is not just a routine—it is essential for data-driven care,” she added.
She also addressed concerns about regulation and ethics, warning against professional misconduct and highlighting recent enforcement actions, including the shutdown of an unaccredited nursing college and ongoing prosecutions of individuals impersonating nurses.
“Nursing is a regulated profession. Any infraction—whether it’s negligence or operating beyond scope—will attract disciplinary actions,” Aketi warned.
Dr. Pamela Ajayi, Chairman of Bridge Clinic and former President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, also spoke at the event. She called for broad reforms in health policy and governance, including the creation of a national regulatory body to enforce healthcare standards across the board.
“There must be a central body to uphold standards. Any hospital not meeting basic requirements should not be operating,” Dr. Ajayi said.
She emphasised the need for harmonised salaries, benefits, and work environments across both public and private health institutions, saying that a lack of standardisation continues to drive many professionals abroad.
“Healthcare workers are not leaving because they want to—they’re leaving because the system does not support them,” she noted.
Dr. Ajayi also advocated for a stronger national health insurance system that can enable facilities to compensate staff fairly and improve service delivery.
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Reflecting on her journey back to Nigeria after working abroad, she shared her motivation to contribute to healthcare transformation locally, including setting up Nigeria’s first ISO 15189-accredited lab and founding a dedicated IVF clinic.
She encouraged young professionals to take initiative and create “islands of excellence” within their own environments.
“You may not change the whole system at once, but your efforts—no matter how small—can spark wider transformation,” she said.
Dr. Ajayi also expressed optimism about ongoing educational reforms, particularly in integrating digital technology and artificial intelligence into healthcare training.
In her welcome address, Olawee Grace Deborah, Vice President of NUNSA UNILAG and Chairperson of the Health Week, described the symposium as more than a gathering—it was a blueprint for the future.
“This wasn’t just a health week—it was a rallying point for leadership, advocacy, and academic growth. The voices heard here will shape the next chapter of healthcare,” she declared.
The event attracted healthcare experts, students, and policy advocates from across Lagos State, sparking conversations around mentorship, collaboration, and innovative thinking.
As the symposium drew to a close, its core message remained clear: Strong minds create strong leaders, and the future of nursing in Nigeria depends on both.