By Moses Okorie
Nigerian nurses and indeed their Africa in general have been provided with the opportunity to further their studies abroad in Swansea University hosted in Mauritius. The one-year programme will serve as a top-up to their already acquired diploma or BSc in Nursing while first 50 candidates would receive a 70 percent discount on tuition fees.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the Ambassador for Health and Education for UNICITI International Education Hub in Mauritius and Swansea University in Wales, UK, Ambassador Peace Onuiri, said the essence of the programme is to give African nurses the opportunity to be at par with their counterparts in Europe.
Her words: “I am proud to announce the launch of a one-year top-up programme for nurses who already hold a diploma or BSc in nursing. This program, delivered by the prestigious Swansea University in the UK, will be hosted at the UNICITI Education Hub in Mauritius, a vibrant center of academic excellence. In just six weeks, we will begin welcoming students from across the continent, uniting them in a shared mission to elevate the standards of nursing in Africa”.
She said this programme is not just an academic endeavour; it is a transformative journey that will empower nurses with advanced skills, knowledge, and global perspectives. “African nurses will receive world-class training directly from Swansea University’s esteemed lecturers, right here on African soil”.
Speaking further she added: “We recognise that financial barriers often stand in the way of educational advancement, which is why we are offering an unprecedented 70% discount on tuition fees for the first 50 students who enroll. This makes the programme accessible to a broad range of talented individuals, ensuring that finances do not hinder their potential. Beyond the financial benefits, students will also gain access to a global network of healthcare professionals, opening doors to countless opportunities during and after the training”.
Ambassador Onuiri said Africa faces significant challenges in healthcare, including brain drain and the loss of skilled professionals to other continents, but that this programme is a strategic initiative to curb this trend by providing nurses with the opportunity to advance their careers without leaving the continent, and by doing so, strengthen healthcare systems from within, ensuring that the best and brightest remain in Africa to serve the communities.
She revealed that the choice of Mauritius as the hub for this programme is because UNICITI International Education Hub is a world-class facility that embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence. It is a place where African students can thrive, learn, and grow, supported by an environment that encourages both academic and professional development.
She said that this programme is designed to honour the commitment of African nurses by giving them the tools they need to succeed, and that it is an opportunity to invest in the future, to build a stronger, healthier Africa for generations to come.
The healthcare professional urged parents, governments, healthcare institutions, and agencies to take action, encourage their children, employees, and members to enroll in this programme.
“Let us seize this opportunity and work together to empower our nurses, transform our healthcare systems, and secure a brighter future for all”.
Also speaking, a medical expert, Dr. Ejike Orji said Nigerian nurses and indeed Africa at large need to take advantage of this opportunity because the continent is in dire need of capable hands.