Health colleges: Provosts urge Tinubu to lift 7-year moratorium

Health colleges' leaders have called on President Bola Tinubu to lift a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions, which they argue is harming the training of healthcare professionals. The Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences expressed concerns over how the policy impacts their ability to complete accreditation processes and maintain essential services. The association issued a statement following the appointment of Professor Babatunde Salako as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). They praised the appointment as timely and emphasized the significance of the board's inauguration, noting that NBTE had functioned for over five years without a functioning governing body. The provosts reiterated their longstanding demand for the federal government to review the moratorium, especially as it affects health-related educational institutions. They stressed that the current policy should not hinder existing colleges that had begun the accreditation process with NBTE prior to the ban. According to the statement, these institutions face challenges in finalizing their accreditation, which could delay the graduation of students and reduce the supply of trained healthcare workers. The association warned that the ongoing moratorium risks worsening the national shortage of healthcare professionals. It highlighted the potential consequences of the policy, including increased brain drain and reduced access to medical care for underserved communities. The statement noted that the seven-year ban could exacerbate the depletion of skilled personnel, leaving local populations without adequate medical support. The provosts also urged the government to consider exemptions for health colleges and ensure that accreditation procedures remain open and accessible. They expressed confidence in Salako’s leadership and looked forward to his role in guiding the new board. The association emphasized its pride in his appointment and its anticipation of the positive impact he might bring to the sector. The call for lifting the moratorium comes amid broader discussions about the capacity of Nigerian universities and technical institutions to meet growing demands for skilled labor. Many experts argue that the moratorium, introduced to control the proliferation of substandard institutions, has inadvertently stifled the expansion of vital sectors such as healthcare. Critics suggest that the policy has created bottlenecks in the accreditation process, leading to delays and inefficiencies. The association’s stance aligns with similar voices from within the education sector, who have long advocated for a more flexible approach to institutional growth. While the moratorium aims to maintain quality standards, its application has been criticized for being too rigid, particularly in fields where rapid expansion is necessary to address public service gaps. The provosts’ appeal reflects a growing concern that the current framework is not adequately addressing the unique needs of health education.