The development was announced by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, who described the new institution as an investment in specialist nursing education and the development of skilled healthcare professionals. The college is expected to provide advanced nursing training in critical areas of healthcare, helping to strengthen services such as maternal and child healthcare, emergency response and intensive care.

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 located in Rigasa. The legislation also provides for additional campuses, schools and training centres, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

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

He explained that the initiative was designed to help address personnel shortages, strengthen clinical expertise and expand the availability of professionals equipped to provide specialised medical services.

Beyond classroom instruction and professional training, the institution is expected to support research, continuous professional development and partnerships with teaching hospitals, universities, specialist healthcare facilities and other accredited institutions.

The law also provides for a Governing Council to oversee the college's strategic direction and institutional administration. An Academic Board will be responsible for maintaining academic standards and overseeing research and professional training.

However, the college's programmes will be subject to accreditation and regulatory requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and other relevant authorities.

The establishment of the institution forms part of the Kaduna State Government's broader healthcare reform efforts, which, according to Maiyaki, include the upgrading of 255 primary healthcare centres, the rehabilitation of 16 general hospitals and investments in recruiting and developing healthcare workers.

The commissioner stressed that improving healthcare infrastructure must go hand in hand with developing a qualified workforce capable of delivering effective and specialised care, particularly in underserved communities.

He expressed confidence that the new college would help build a stronger pool of specialist nurses, improve the capacity of healthcare institutions and contribute to better health outcomes across Kaduna State.

The state government also plans to develop the institution into a centre of excellence for specialist nursing education, clinical training and research as part of its wider ambition to expand access to quality, accessible and people-centred healthcare.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia