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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has called on ministries and regulatory agencies to increase internship placements for graduates in Nursing, Midwifery, Radiography, Pharmacy, and other allied health fields, warning that the shortage of slots is hindering professional growth and contributing to brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The appeal followed the adoption of a motion presented on Tuesday by an Imo State lawmaker, Mr. Harrison Nwadike, during plenary.
According to existing regulations, graduates of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Optometry, Physiology, Radiography, and other related disciplines must undergo a mandatory one-year supervised internship in accredited health facilities to qualify for professional licensing. Unlike medical doctors, whose internships are centrally managed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), most allied health graduates are left to secure placements on their own.
This decentralized approach has created significant challenges. With limited slots in public hospitals and high competition among thousands of graduates produced annually, many applicants remain unplaced for months or even years after graduation. The problem is exacerbated by inadequate funding, staff shortages, and the concentration of accredited facilities in major urban centers.
Speaking to the House, Nwadike emphasized that only a small fraction of graduates secure internship positions each year.
“Every year, thousands of graduates in Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Optometry, Physiology, Radiography, and other allied health disciplines personally apply for internship opportunities, but only a few are accepted. This leaves more than 10,000 to 15,000 graduates stranded without placements,” he said.
He further highlighted the risks posed by the scarcity of placements.
“The limited availability of internship opportunities exposes graduates to financial, emotional, and sometimes sexual exploitation, undermining ethics and professionalism in a sector that safeguards human life. Unlicensed graduates are also more vulnerable to social vices, including cybercrime, violence, and prostitution, which negatively affect public health and societal stability,” Nwadike added.
The lawmaker noted that federal and tertiary health institutions face the most acute challenges due to limited capacity. He cited a recent example from a federal health facility in the Federal Capital Territory.
“A Federal Government health facility in the FCT recently held exams for over 640 eligible nursing interns but had only 35 placement slots, leaving more than 600 graduates without opportunities,” he said.
Nwadike also pointed out that graduates unable to secure internships cannot participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, as professional licensure is a prerequisite for mobilization in most disciplines. He warned that this could have long-term negative effects on Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
“These structural deficiencies may force Nigerian graduates to seek training and career opportunities abroad, exacerbating the brain drain and undermining the country’s investment in human capital,” he said.
The motion received overwhelming support during a voice vote presided over by Deputy Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Kalu.
Following the motion’s adoption, the House directed all relevant regulatory bodies, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, and the MDCN, to take responsibility for coordinating internship placements for prospective graduates.
The House also instructed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to increase funding for internship programmes and collaborate with regulatory councils to create a national internship matching portal. The portal would streamline placements, ensure transparency, reduce delays, and prevent exploitation.
In addition, the House urged the Ministry of Budget and Planning to expand budgetary allocations to tertiary health institutions nationwide, enabling them to accommodate all eligible graduates annually.
The Committees on Health Institutions, Health Services, and Legislative Compliance were charged with monitoring implementation and reporting back within four weeks for further legislative action.