Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has pledged N20 million to support the Godfrey Okoye University Teaching Hospital (GOUNI) in Enugu, emphasizing the critical need to address Nigeria’s nursing shortage and improve healthcare infrastructure. During a visit to the hospital on Tuesday, Obi highlighted the urgency of training more nurses, noting that Nigeria currently requires 1.2 million additional professionals to meet healthcare demands. He warned that global nurse shortages could exceed 30 million by 2030 without targeted interventions.
“Nursing is not just a career—it’s a lifeline for our communities,” Obi told students, urging them to excel in their studies. “Our primary healthcare centers are struggling due to manpower gaps. Your role in bridging this deficit cannot be overstated.”
Citing recent World Bank and UNICEF reports, Obi linked Nigeria’s healthcare challenges to systemic governance failures, including rising poverty, malnutrition, and infant mortality rates. “While India has overtaken us in child mortality, our leaders prioritize politics over practical solutions. We must redirect resources to save lives,” he asserted.
The donation forms part of Obi’s broader advocacy for education and healthcare development. He praised faith-based institutions like GOUNI for their contributions to national progress and pledged ongoing support. “This is not about politics but patriotism. I will continue partnering with organizations driving tangible change,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to grassroots initiatives.
The funds will bolster GOUNI’s nursing school project, aimed at producing skilled professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
