By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Federal Government has appointed a distinguished nurse educator, healthcare administrator and academic, Dr Alice Igbekeleoluwa Ogundele, as Chairman of the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Dr Ogundele, who is the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, was formally inaugurated on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, during the inauguration of the newly constituted governing board of the Council.
Her appointment has been widely welcomed within academic and healthcare circles as recognition of her outstanding contributions to nursing practice, healthcare administration, professional development and nursing education in Nigeria over a career spanning more than three decades.
Reacting to the appointment, the Founder of Elizade University and Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, described the development as a well-deserved recognition of Dr Ogundele’s vast experience, dedication to the nursing profession and commitment to improving healthcare standards in the country.
Chief Ade. Ojo expressed confidence that her wealth of experience would contribute significantly to strengthening professional regulation, nursing education, workforce development and the delivery of quality healthcare services across Nigeria.
He noted that the appointment places a seasoned professional at the helm of one of the country’s most critical healthcare regulatory institutions at a time when the health sector requires visionary leadership and strategic reforms.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Philip Oguntunde, congratulated Dr Ogundele on the appointment, describing it as a major achievement for both the institution and the nursing profession.
According to him, the appointment further reinforces Elizade University’s growing reputation for attracting and producing highly accomplished professionals who continue to make significant contributions to national development.
Professor Oguntunde added that the development comes at a particularly important period for the university as it prepares to commence its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.
A respected scholar and healthcare leader, Dr Ogundele brings more than 32 years of experience in clinical nursing, nursing education, research and public health administration to her new role.
Before joining academia on a full-time basis, she served as Director of Nursing Services in Ondo State, where she played a key role in strengthening nursing manpower development and improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Her academic journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence and professional advancement. She obtained a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1989 and later earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the same institution in 2010.
She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Dr Ogundele is a Fellow of the West African College of Nurses and Midwives, one of the highest professional honours in nursing and midwifery practice in the West African sub-region.
Over the years, she has held several leadership positions within the profession, including serving as Principal of the School of Midwifery, Akure, before her appointment as Ondo State Director of Nursing Services.
During her tenure, she championed several policies and programmes aimed at enhancing the capacity of nursing professionals and improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
Among her notable achievements was her advocacy for the sustenance of post-basic nursing education following the integration of the Ondo State School of Midwifery into the university system.
She also led initiatives promoting the training of community nurses and midwives, a strategic intervention that helped address shortages of professional nursing personnel at the primary healthcare level.
Beyond administration and professional practice, Dr Ogundele has distinguished herself in research, with scholarly contributions in the fields of Nursing Management, Human Resource Management and Health Workforce Development.
Her research works have been published in reputable national and international journals, earning her recognition as a respected academic, researcher and thought leader within the healthcare sector.
Observers believe her appointment as Chairman of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria will further strengthen the regulation of nursing practice and contribute to the advancement of healthcare delivery across the country.
