In a significant move to bolster healthcare education and infrastructure, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has officially inaugurated the Governing Council for the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Benin. The ceremony, held on Monday, December 22, 2025, marks a pivotal step in the administration’s agenda to revitalize the state’s educational and health sectors through strategic governance and expert leadership.
The newly constituted council is chaired by Ikenria Johnbull, a figure expected to bring considerable experience to the role. He will be supported by members Sedenu Igienelumeh, Idubor Imuetinyan, Adesua Iseghohi, Muhammed Abdullah, Monica Igbadumhe, and Paul Nobore. The selection of this diverse team underscores a deliberate effort to assemble “the best hands,” as noted by the Governor, to steer the institution toward a future of excellence.
A Mandate for Transformative Change
Governor Okpebholo’s charge to the council extends beyond mere oversight. He explicitly tasked them with repositioning the institution for excellence, aligning its operations with the state’s broader sustainable development goals. This directive comes at a critical time when Nigeria faces a significant shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. By focusing on a College of Nursing Sciences, the administration is targeting a key bottleneck in the healthcare delivery chain. A well-trained nursing workforce is the backbone of any effective health system, impacting everything from patient outcomes in hospitals to community health outreach programs.
In his address, Governor Okpebholo stated, “Edo State is taking a new turn, and we are focused on developing every aspect of the state, including the educational sector.” This suggests that the inauguration is not an isolated event, but part of a cohesive plan. The council’s success could serve as a model for reforming other tertiary institutions in the state, particularly those in the vital health and technology sectors.
Context and Challenges in Nigerian Nursing Education
To appreciate the council’s task, one must understand the landscape. Many nursing colleges in Nigeria grapple with challenges such as outdated curricula, insufficient clinical training facilities, inadequate tutor-to-student ratios, and bureaucratic hurdles. The new council’s mandate likely involves addressing these systemic issues—modernizing training to meet global best practices, forging stronger partnerships with teaching hospitals for practical experience, and ensuring the institution’s graduates are highly competitive and ethically sound professionals.
In his response, Council Chairman Ikenria Johnbull thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the team. The council’s effectiveness will now be measured by its ability to translate this vote of confidence into tangible improvements: updated accreditation, enhanced learning resources, and ultimately, a higher caliber of nursing professionals graduating from the college.
Parallel Recognition: Strengthening Policy Expertise
In a related development that highlights the administration’s focus on health sector capacity building, Governor Okpebholo also received Mr. Eighemhenrio Ikhuemosa, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health. Ikhuemosa recently graduated from the prestigious Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos—a institution renowned as Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank.
The Governor congratulated Ikhuemosa, expressing confidence that the advanced knowledge and networking gained at NIPSS would directly benefit policy formulation and implementation in Edo’s health sector. This dual focus—on both the operational training of frontline staff (nurses) and the strategic capacity of top-tier administrators—reveals a comprehensive approach to health system strengthening. The insights from NIPSS could inform the very policies that the new College of Nursing Sciences council will need to operationalize, creating a synergistic effect.
The high-profile event was attended by key government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor; the Head of Service, Anthony Okhungbowa; the Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu; and the Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Patrick, signaling the importance the administration places on this initiative.
In conclusion, the inauguration of the Governing Council is more than a ceremonial appointment. It is a strategic investment in the human capital required to achieve a healthier Edo State. The council’s performance will be a key indicator of the government’s ability to translate its development agenda into concrete, positive outcomes for its citizens in the critical arena of healthcare.
Edited by Benson Iziama
