bill summary HB2352

What Is This Bill?

The Federal College of Health Sciences and Technology, Dala, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2352) is a legislative proposal to establish a federal-owned tertiary health sciences institution in Dala, Kano State. The Bill seeks to create a dedicated, government-funded college that will train middle- to higher-level health professionals across a range of allied health disciplines — addressing the critical shortage of skilled healthcare personnel in Kano State and the broader North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Dala is one of the eight Local Government Areas of Kano Municipal, making this institution strategically positioned to serve one of Nigeria's most densely populated states. Kano State currently faces one of the most severe healthcare workforce crises in Nigeria, with a doctor-to-patient ratio estimated at 1:80,000 — far below the WHO-recommended 1:600.

Who Does It Target?

Prospective students in Kano State and the North-West zone seeking qualifications in allied health sciences, nursing, public health, and health technology The Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Health, as the key supervising authorities The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which provides regulatory oversight for health technology colleges Federal and state government agencies responsible for health workforce planning and deployment Health sector employers — hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and public health institutions — requiring mid-level and technical health professionals Host communities and residents of Dala Local Government Area and Kano State who will benefit from improved local healthcare education infrastructure

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a federally accredited College of Health Sciences and Technology in Dala, Kano State, conferring National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications in health sciences Expand access to health sciences education in the North-West zone, reducing dependence on distant institutions for healthcare training Address the severe shortage of healthcare workers in Kano State, where fewer than 2,000 doctors serve a population projected to exceed 50 million by 2050 Train healthcare professionals across disciplines including Community Health, Environmental Health Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Technology, Pharmacy Technology, and Public Health Nursing Support Nigeria's universal health coverage goals by producing qualified mid-level health cadres for deployment in primary healthcare centres and community health facilities Leverage the existing health education infrastructure in Dala — which already hosts the School of Orthopaedic Cast Technology, National Orthopaedic Hospital — to build a broader health sciences hub

Key Features

Institutional Mandate — Federal Establishment: The college will be a federally established and funded institution under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education and regulated by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Programme Scope — Allied Health Focus: Courses will include Dental Technology, Dental Therapy, Health Information Management, Community Health, Environmental Health Technology, Public Health Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy Technology, and related health science disciplines Award Structure — Qualification Framework: The institution will award National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates, with course durations ranging from two to four years depending on the programme Governance — Governing Board: The Bill is expected to provide for the constitution of a Governing Board comprising education, health, and government representatives to oversee institutional management and academic standards Location & Infrastructure — Dala Campus: Sited in Dala LGA, Kano State, building on the area's existing profile as a health institution hub and enabling collaboration with the National Orthopaedic Hospital already located there Financing — Federal Funding & TETFund Eligibility: As a federal institution, the college will be eligible for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocations for infrastructure, faculty development, and research

Current Status

Legislative Stage: First Reading completed on June 24, 2025 in the House of Representatives (10th Assembly). The Bill has been formally introduced and is scheduled for Second Reading and subsequent committee referral Sponsorship: Sponsored by Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, representing a constituency in Kano State in the House of Representatives Health Workforce Context: Kano State operates only 2,000 active doctors for an estimated population of over 17 million, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of approximately 1:80,000 — among the most acute healthcare workforce deficits in sub-Saharan Africa Existing Infrastructure: Dala LGA already hosts the School of Orthopaedic Cast Technology at the National Orthopaedic Hospital — providing a foundation for expanded health sciences education in the area North-West Deficit: The North-West zone remains underserved in federal health education infrastructure relative to its population size, making this Bill part of a broader legislative trend to address geographic equity in tertiary health education Complementary Bills: The 10th Assembly has simultaneously introduced multiple related health institution establishment bills, including Federal Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery across multiple states, signalling a coordinated legislative push for health workforce expansion

How to Access

Prospective Students: Upon enactment, apply through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal or the institution's direct entry process. Most programmes require five O-Level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology, and relevant sciences Healthcare Employers: Engage with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Federal Ministry of Health for graduate deployment frameworks and professional registration of graduates with relevant regulatory bodies Track the Bill: Monitor the bill's progress through the National Assembly Library Trust Fund's bill tracker at billtracker.naltf.gov.ng or the National Assembly's official website nass.gov.ng Contact — Sponsoring Legislator: Office of Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja Contact — Federal Ministry of Education: education.gov.ng | NBTE: nbte.gov.ng Contact — Federal Ministry of Health: health.gov.ng

Important Terms

First Reading: The initial formal introduction of a bill in the legislative chamber. No debate occurs at this stage — the Bill is merely read by title and recorded for scheduling National Diploma (ND) / Higher National Diploma (HND): Qualifications awarded by colleges of technology and health sciences, regulated by NBTE. ND typically takes 2 years; HND typically takes 2 additional years after ND NBTE — National Board for Technical Education: The federal regulatory body that accredits and supervises polytechnics, colleges of technology, and colleges of health sciences in Nigeria TETFund — Tertiary Education Trust Fund: A federal intervention fund that provides financial support to federal and state tertiary institutions for physical infrastructure, faculty development, and research Domestic Supply Obligation (Health Cadre): Graduates of federal health colleges are expected to serve in government health facilities during mandatory internship and national youth service periods before independent practice

Impact & Metrics

Kano State has an estimated doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:80,000 — compared to the WHO standard of 1:600 — reflecting a healthcare workforce crisis requiring urgent structural intervention Nigeria currently has approximately 75,000 registered doctors, of whom an estimated 33,000 have emigrated, compounding the need for expanded mid-level health cadre training Kano records approximately 1,000 daily childbirths and over 9,900 daily outpatient visits at Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital alone — one of the busiest hospitals globally — demonstrating the urgent demand for health personnel There are currently only 9 Federal Colleges of Health and 41 State Colleges of Health in Nigeria, against a national population of over 220 million — reflecting a significant supply gap in health education infrastructure The 10th Assembly has introduced over 15 health institution establishment bills in 2025 alone, indicating a legislative consensus on the need to scale Nigeria's health workforce capacity

Official Resources

Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Source: HB.2352, NALTF Bill Records, House of Representatives Order Paper — June 24, 2025, NBTE, Kano State Health Data, Guardian Nigeria | March 2026

Legal Framework

Introduced under the legislative powers of the National Assembly vested by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Operates under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, the National Universities Commission Act, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011. Aligns with the National Health Act 2014 for health sciences curricula standards, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Act, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria regulatory framework.