Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, describing nurses and midwives as the “unsung heroes” of national development amid worsening challenges facing the profession.

In a statement marking the 2026 International Nurses Day celebration on Tuesday, Obi praised the sacrifices of Nigerian nurses while warning that the country’s healthcare system is under severe strain due to poor welfare, inadequate investment, and the growing migration of healthcare professionals abroad.

Referencing this year’s global theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” Obi said nurses remain at the center of human existence, often serving as the first and last witnesses to life.

“A nurse opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a dying man,” Obi stated. “These professionals carry enormous responsibilities, yet many continue to work under extremely difficult conditions with inadequate support.”

The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening shortage of healthcare workers, noting that the country faces a deficit of more than 150,000 nurses. According to him, the gap continues to widen as trained professionals leave Nigeria in search of better salaries and working conditions abroad.

He warned that the continued “Japa” wave among healthcare professionals could further weaken the country’s already stretched medical system if urgent steps are not taken.

Obi also highlighted his recent interventions in nursing education across the country, stating that investments in healthcare training are essential for national development.

Among the institutions he reportedly supported in recent months are St. Philomena College of Nursing, Malikiya College of Nursing, and other nursing institutions in Ebonyi and Abuja, where he donated funds for infrastructure and educational support.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritize reforms aimed at improving healthcare delivery, including better salaries for nurses, expansion of nursing schools, improved working environments, and policies that would encourage healthcare workers to remain in the country.

According to Obi, nurses should not merely be viewed as exportable labour but as critical pillars of Nigeria’s human development and public health system.

“Investing in our nurses is not charity; it is a strategic investment in the future of the country,” he said. “Every Nigerian, regardless of social status or location, deserves access to quality healthcare delivered by empowered professionals.”

The former presidential candidate further stressed that strengthening primary healthcare systems and empowering nurses at the grassroots level would significantly improve healthcare access in rural communities across Nigeria.

International Nurses Day is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions of nurses worldwide and to spotlight issues affecting the profession and global healthcare systems.