A Call for Entrepreneurship Among Nigerian Healthcare Professionals
Professor Chinedu Neboh, a former Minister of Power and current Vice-Chancellor of the University on the Niger, has emphasized the need for Nigerian nurses and other healthcare professionals to adopt entrepreneurial skills. His message comes at a time when financial stability is increasingly difficult to achieve through salaries alone, especially in Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.
Neboh delivered this call to action during the launch of the Primecare Nursing Practice (PNP) Programme, organized by the GEANCO Foundation. He highlighted that healthcare workers must not only focus on their clinical roles but also develop entrepreneurial mindsets to ensure long-term success and contribute effectively to the improvement of healthcare delivery across the country.
He stated, “The reason it is so important to think about entrepreneurship, no matter what profession you are in, is that only those who develop that mindset, live by that mindset, and operate by that mindset will survive in the Nigeria and the world that is evolving today.”
The Changing Economic Landscape
Reflecting on Nigeria’s economic transformation over the decades, Neboh shared his personal experiences from the early 1980s. During that period, modest salaries were sufficient to support families and even fund overseas travel. He recounted how he and his wife, upon returning to Nigeria in 1981, earned N200 each as youth corps members. With a combined income of N400, they managed to care for their family and start a small poultry business. At the time, a brand-new Volkswagen cost less than N3,000.
However, he noted that the situation has drastically changed. “Cars now cost what may take 20 or 30 years of salary to earn. Salaries are no longer enough,” he said.
Addressing the Migration Mindset
Neboh also addressed the growing belief among many young Nigerians that nursing should serve merely as a pathway to migration abroad. While many nurses aspire to relocate overseas, he pointed out that Nigeria still offers significant opportunities for those willing to build sustainable healthcare businesses.
He emphasized that the healthcare sector in Nigeria is not only essential but also ripe with potential for innovation and growth. By embracing entrepreneurship, nurses can create meaningful impact within their communities while securing their own financial futures.
Partnerships for Certification and Growth
As part of the initiative, the University on the Niger Institute for Lifelong Learning will partner with the GEANCO Foundation to certify participants who successfully complete the PNP Programme. This partnership aims to provide a recognized credential that participants can proudly present and defend anywhere.
“University on the Niger Institute for Lifelong Learning will certify those who pass through this programme. That means you’ll get a certificate you can stand up and defend anywhere,” Neboh said.
Strengthening Primary Healthcare Delivery
The Primecare Nursing Practice Programme was designed to strengthen nurse-led primary healthcare delivery. It aims to equip registered nurses and midwives with advanced clinical, leadership, and practice management skills. This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of care provided to mothers, children, and underserved communities.
In her welcome address, read by Pearl Ekwe, the foundation’s leadership highlighted that the initiative would improve access to quality healthcare. It also includes support mechanisms such as mentoring, telehealth services, accountability systems, and clinic development to empower nurses and ensure sustainable healthcare solutions.
Conclusion
Professor Neboh’s advocacy for entrepreneurship among healthcare professionals underscores the importance of adapting to changing economic realities. By combining clinical expertise with business acumen, nurses can not only secure their financial futures but also contribute significantly to the advancement of healthcare in Nigeria. The collaboration between the GEANCO Foundation and the University on the Niger represents a promising step toward achieving these goals.
