Lagos State is on the verge of a significant milestone as stakeholders gathered today at the Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, for a high-level meeting on the establishment of the Lagos State Health Workforce Registry. The event, organised by the Lagos State
Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the World Health Organization (WHO), is a crucial step towards integrating Lagos into the National Health Workforce
Registry (NHWR).
The registry, established by the Federal Ministry of
Health in 2020, serves as a central database for all healthcare workers in Nigeria, enabling evidence-based workforce planning and resource allocation.
Despite its importance, Lagos State has yet to be onboarded due to efforts to harmonize its existing
Human Resource for Health Information System with the federal platform.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Health
Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jumoke Oyenuga, emphasised the significance of the initiative. “Lagos State cannot afford to be left behind. This registry will not only provide accurate data on healthcare workers but also enhance workforce planning, ensuring equitable
distribution across public and private institutions,” she stated.
Dr. Oyenuga further explained that the state had initially refrained from joining the NHWR to avoid creating a parallel system. However, the government has now committed to aligning its data with the national platform while maintaining its existing structure. “We are here to establish a common
platform that will integrate both systems without compromising our current database,” she added.
Oyenuga posited that with Lagos State’s large population and status as Nigeria’s economic hub, the successful implementation of the workforce registry will serve as a model for other states. “This is a work in progress, but with the right commitment and collaboration, we will ensure that this initiative is not only established but sustained for years to come,” Dr.
Oyenuga assured.
She noted the NHWR will provide policymakers with real-time data on workforce distribution, helping to address shortages in underserved areas and improve healthcare access. “With a simple dashboard, we should be able to see the number of ophthalmologists in Lagos, their locations, and projections for future workforce needs,” she explained.
The Director stated that the registry will not only capture information on doctors, nurses, and pharmacists but also include all categories of healthcare workers, from administrative personnel to cleaners. “Every health worker is crucial in the healthcare delivery chain. We need an accurate database that reflects the true composition of our workforce,” Dr. Oyenuga stressed.
She explained that a key component of the initiative is the training of data collectors, which will take place at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, over the next two days, adding that health institutions have been asked to nominate capable personnel, preferably with functional laptops, to undergo intensive training on data collection and entry. “We urge stakeholders to ensure that the right
individuals are nominated to guarantee the registry’s success,” Dr. Oyenuga said.
She enjoined stakeholders to collaborate actively in providing accurate data as the state moves towards full integration with the NHWR. “Together, we can build a robust health workforce registry that supports effective planning and improves healthcare delivery in Lagos,” Dr. Oyenuga concluded.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, represented by the Head of Human Resources for Health, Mrs. Hadiza Dako, underscored the importance of a unified registry. “Lagos State’s inclusion is critical. Without its data, Nigeria cannot present an accurate report on its health workforce at the global level. This registry will ensure that we have a comprehensive, up-to-date, and functional system that supports policy and decision-making,” she noted.
She averred that while the federal government and
WHO are providing financial and technical support, the success of the initiative will depend on continuous updates from health institutions. “Workforce planning is dynamic, and the registry must be regularly updated to reflect new hires, transfers, and exits,” Mrs. Dako stated.
Also speaking, the WHO State Coordinator in Lagos, Dr. Chinenye Okafor, highlighted the registry’s role in achieving Universal Health Coverage. “This initiative will help rationalize workloads, forecast workforce needs, and allocate resources effectively. It is a forward-thinking step that will strengthen Lagos’ health system and improve service delivery,” she said.
“This is not just about numbers; it is about strategic health system strengthening. We must all take responsibility to make it work,” Dr. Okafor remarked.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has pledged its full support for the initiative, with key officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr.
Abiola Idowu, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, in attendance.
Other dignitaries at the meeting included the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi; the Provost of Lagos State College of Medicine, Professor Idowu Olufemi and the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo.
Participants at the meeting expressed optimism about the project, acknowledging the long-term benefits of healthcare administration and planning.