House of Reps Passes Bill to Establish Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Eket

House of Reps Passes Bill to Establish Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Eket

The House of Representatives has passed a Bill seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and addressing the growing shortage of trained health professionals across the country.

The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Okpolupm Etteh, who represents Eket/ONNA/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency, was passed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, following deliberations by the lawmakers.

According to the sponsor, the proposed institution is designed to serve as a critical hub for the training of nurses and midwives, thereby boosting manpower development in the health sector and improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly in the South-South region and beyond.

Rep. Etteh explained that his decision to sponsor the Bill was informed by the absence of any federal nursing or midwifery institution in Akwa Ibom State and within his federal constituency, despite the area’s strategic importance. He noted that Eket, which serves as a major federal presence and senatorial district headquarters, remains underserved in terms of federal health training institutions.

“The establishment of this college in Eket will not only fill a long-standing institutional gap but will also create opportunities for young people, enhance healthcare delivery, and contribute meaningfully to national human capital development in the health sector,” Etteh said.

He further expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the House for their support and favourable consideration of the Bill, describing its passage as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare system and a major development victory for Akwa Ibom State.

With its passage in the House of Representatives, the Bill is now expected to be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, after which it will proceed through the remaining legislative processes required for it to be signed into law.