The Elegant Nurses Forum has raised serious concerns over the proliferation of illegal and unapproved nursing programs in Kwara State, warning that the trend poses significant risks to lives and undermines professional standards.

In a statement signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum noted that several Colleges of Health Technology in the state are falsely advertising and running Community Health Nursing and Public Health Nursing programs, in violation of regulations set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The council has long mandated that such programs be offered only by accredited Colleges of Nursing and universities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, any institution outside this approval is operating illegally,” the forum declared, accusing these schools of extorting parents, misleading students, and promoting quackery. Graduates of these programs risk having their certificates rejected, while patients could be exposed to poorly trained healthcare personnel—a situation the forum described as a potential future disaster for the healthcare system.

The group highlighted institutions like the Florence Adepate Love Foundation, which recently advertised a 50% scholarship on nursing programs without proper accreditation.

The forum has called on Kwara State’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Sa’adatu Modibo K., to intervene immediately. It demands the closure of illegal schools, clarification of approved training centers, sanctions against complicit officials, and refunds for affected students and parents. The nurses emphasized strict enforcement of NMCN guidelines to prevent further violations.

“The Nursing profession must not be polluted by illegal training centers driven by profit and deception. The lives of the people of Kwara State must come first. Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.