“Why Nigeria’s Nursing Schools Struggle with Research — and How to Fix It”

Why are Nigeria’s nursing schools struggling to produce quality research? This question took centre stage at the second Undergraduate Nursing Research Summit and Award in Lagos, organised by the Golden Lamp Leadership Initiative Africa. Experts, lecturers, and students gathered to find answers — and to discuss how to fix the deepening research gap in nursing education.

Professor Omolola Irinoye, Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, said the challenge begins with a weak foundation. “Many nursing students finish university without a proper understanding of research methods,” she said. “So, when they reach postgraduate level, they struggle to produce quality work.” She blamed poor supervision, lack of exposure, and limited institutional support for the growing deficit.

The convener of the summit, Mrs Oluyemisi Otitoloju, said young nurses need more mentorship and encouragement. “We need to help them see that nursing is not only about caring but also about discovery,” she said. “A nurse who cannot question or investigate cannot improve patient care.”

Professor Prisca Adejumo, a nurse practitioner and medical sociologist, added that research is what gives nursing its professional strength. “Without research, nurses remain followers of foreign ideas,” she said. “We must create local solutions that fit our health realities.”

Experts at the event compared Nigeria’s situation with other countries. Students in nursing schools in Europe and America are trained early in research and often participate in hospital-based studies. In South Africa, universities and hospitals work hand-in-hand. This approach allows students to gain vital practical knowledge and apply classroom knowledge to real health challenges.

Here in Nigeria, however, lecturers say they face multiple barriers — poor funding, outdated facilities, lack of access to journals, and little motivation to publish. Many departments still treat nursing as a “support” discipline, not a full academic field.

Mrs Shola Aketi, Director of Nursing Services in Lagos State and representing the state government, said there is an urgent need to change this mindset. “Research should not be left to doctors alone. Nurses are the backbone of healthcare — their ideas matter,” she said.

To solve the problem, experts recommend increased funding, mentorship programmes, and research partnerships between universities and teaching hospitals. They also want nursing councils to make research projects more practical and community-based.

As Professor Irinoye summed it up, “If we want stronger hospitals and better healthcare, we must first build nurses who can think, question, and research.”