Posted on: Tue 22-04-2025

At a time when Nigeria’s health and education sectors are crying out for meaningful investment, gestures like this remind us all of the power of private goodwill. The recent N30 million donation by philanthropist Olatunji Olusoji to the Anglican College of Nursing and Health Technology, Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, is more than just a financial contribution — it’s a call to action.

Olusoji’s generous support, announced during the groundbreaking of the institution’s new administrative building, sends a strong and timely message: the future of healthcare in Nigeria cannot be left to government efforts alone. While Governor Ahmed Ododo’s administration is reportedly making strides in upgrading primary healthcare centres across the state, it’s clear that bridging the gap between need and capacity will require more partnerships between private citizens and public institutions.

Philanthropic gestures like this aren’t just about writing cheques — they are about investing in human capital, and in the long-term stability of communities. By strengthening institutions like the Anglican College of Nursing and Health Technology, we’re not just laying bricks and mortar — we are building pipelines for the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals who will go on to serve both their local communities and the nation at large.

It’s also worth noting Olusoji’s own words, emphasizing the role of education in shaping the future: “We need to encourage our children to go to school, they are our pride tomorrow.” A simple statement, but one that deserves far more attention in both policy circles and family conversations. If Nigeria is serious about fixing its crumbling healthcare system and halting the brain drain of its medical professionals, then it must start by nurturing talent at home — not just through government budgets, but through community involvement, private sponsorships, and bold investments like this one.

The decision by the Anglican Diocese of Ijumu to name the administrative building after Olusoji isn’t just symbolic — it sets a precedent. When individuals step up, their names become woven into the future of the institutions they help shape. But beyond the plaques and titles, this should inspire more well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to channel their resources into areas that touch lives most directly: healthcare, education, and skills development.

The Kogi nursing college’s story shows us that real progress is possible when generosity meets vision. One can only hope this is the beginning of a wider movement — where those with the means invest in institutions that prepare young people to care for, uplift, and heal the nation.

The question is: who’s next? Nigeria could use a few more Olatunji Olusojis.

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