On September 18, 2025, the Benue State House of Assembly in Makurdi passed the “Benue State College of Nursing Sciences Establishment Bill, 2025” during a plenary session, marking a pivotal step toward enhancing nursing education and healthcare training in the state. The bill, sponsored by the House Committee on Health under Hon. Terseer Tsumba (APC, Nyiev), was unanimously approved following a robust debate, reflecting the Assembly’s commitment to addressing the critical shortage of trained nursing professionals.
Hon. Tsumba emphasized that the college would bolster healthcare delivery by producing skilled nurses and midwives, aligning with the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The bill’s clean copy has been forwarded to Governor Hyacinth Alia for assent, with expectations that, once signed into law, the college could commence operations in the 2026/2027 academic session.
The bill outlines the establishment of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences as a tertiary institution tasked with training nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. Its objectives include addressing the state’s healthcare manpower needs, conducting research in nursing sciences, and promoting community health initiatives. The college will offer National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programs in General Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health Nursing, with plans for future degree programs in collaboration with universities.
