Governor Uba Sani has signed an executive bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Post-Basic Nursing Sciences in Rigasa, Igabi council area, to address the shortage of specialist nurses and to improve medical services.

A statement by the information commissioner, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed the bill was signed on Wednesday, as a strategic investment in skilled workforce development under the governor’s ongoing health sector reforms.

Mr Maiyaki explained that the institution is expected to expand advanced nursing training, produce specialists in critical fields and improve maternal and child care, emergency response and intensive care services across Kaduna.

‘’Under the Kaduna State College of Post-Basic Nursing Sciences, Rigasa Law, 2026, the institution will operate as a specialised tertiary training college, with its main campus in Rigasa. There will be provisions for additional campuses, schools and training centres, subject to regulatory approvals,’’ the statement said.

Mr Maiyaki explained that the college would offer programmes in midwifery, psychiatric and mental health nursing, perioperative nursing, paediatric nursing, accident and emergency nursing, intensive care nursing, public health nursing, and administration.

According to him, the Kaduna governor’s assent to the bill ‘represents a significant investment in developing the skilled workforce required to address critical personnel shortages and strengthen clinical expertise.

‘’Beyond professional training, the college will promote research, continuous professional development and partnerships with teaching hospitals, universities, specialist facilities and other accredited institutions.

‘’The law also establishes a governing council to provide strategic direction and institutional oversight, alongside an academic board responsible for high standards, research and professional training,’’ he added.

The commissioner said all programmes would be subject to the accreditation and regulatory requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and other relevant authorities.

According to him, the legislation complements the governor’s broader reform agenda, including upgrading 255 primary healthcare centres, rehabilitating 16 general hospitals, and sustaining investments in workforce recruitment and development.

Mr Maiyaki, however, stated that investments in medical infrastructure must be matched by qualified professionals capable of delivering specialised services, particularly in underserved communities.

He maintained that the College of Post-Basic Nursing Sciences would help build a pool of specialist nurses, enhance institutional capacity and contribute to better health outcomes for generations to come.

The statement reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to developing the institution into a centre of excellence for specialist nursing education, research, and clinical training, advancing his vision of accessible, quality, and people-centred medical services in Kaduna.