Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the employment of 1,095 medical and allied health science students undergoing training in higher institutions within and outside Nigeria, as part of measures to strengthen the state’s future healthcare workforce.
Under the approval, 294 medical students have been employed on Grade Level 07/2, while 801 allied health science students have been employed on Grade Level 05/2.
The students are currently undergoing professional training in different higher institutions, with the state government describing the employment as an incentive to support them through their studies while creating a pathway for them to serve in government health facilities after graduation.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, Buni said the measure was intended to encourage the students to remain committed to their courses and contribute to the state’s healthcare system after completing their training.
“This is to serve as an incentive to support the students to pursue their courses of study with vigour and commitment, and to serve in government health facilities after completion of their studies,” the governor said.
The decision comes as Yobe continues to invest in human resources for health, with the employment of students creating an early link between professional training and eventual service in the state’s public healthcare system.
By placing the students on the state’s payroll while they are still undergoing training, the government is also seeking to provide greater employment certainty for professionals expected to join the health workforce after completing their studies.
The latest approval covers medical students as well as students pursuing allied health science programmes, expanding the intervention beyond doctors to other categories of professionals required for effective healthcare delivery.
In another development, Buni approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Earned Academic Allowance for staff of the state’s eight tertiary institutions and other ministries, departments and agencies.
The beneficiaries include the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Gujba; Galtima Mai Kyari College of Health Science and Technology, Nguru; Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu; and the College of Administration, Management and Technology, Potiskum.
Others are Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam; Atiku Abubakar College of Education and Legal Studies, Nguru; and Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, as well as other relevant MDAs.
The implementation of the allowances is expected to provide additional welfare support for academic and other eligible personnel working within the state’s tertiary education system.
Buni also approved a review of the entry point for Veterinary Medical Officers into the state public service.
Under the new arrangement, the entry point will move from Consolidated Medical Salary Structure 2/2 to CONMESS 3/2, with an upgrade of the existing structure through CONMESS 2/2–3/2, 3/1–4/1, 4/1–5/1, 5/1–6/1 and 6/1–7/1.
The review is expected to improve the career progression and remuneration structure for veterinary medical officers serving the state.
In the justice sector, the governor approved the implementation of the Consolidated Salary Structure for law officers in the state Ministry of Justice and the placement of judiciary staff on the Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure.
The series of approvals covers workers and professionals across healthcare, veterinary medicine, tertiary education and the justice sector, with the government presenting the measures as part of efforts to improve employee welfare and strengthen service delivery.
Buni said the beneficiaries of the various interventions were expected to reciprocate the government’s welfare measures through greater commitment to their responsibilities.
“To whom much is given, much is equally expected. You should reciprocate this gesture with improved service delivery for the betterment of the state and the people,” the governor said.
The employment of medical and allied health students is particularly significant for Yobe’s healthcare system because it creates a pipeline of professionals who can eventually be deployed to government facilities after completing their studies.
The arrangement could also help the state retain trained professionals by giving beneficiaries an established connection with the public service before they complete their professional education.
The government did not disclose the specific institutions where all the students are studying, the total financial cost of the employment scheme or the duration and conditions attached to their appointments.
It also did not state when the affected students would begin receiving their salaries or the exact number of health facilities expected to benefit from their eventual deployment.
West Trybe reports that the approvals represent a broad public-sector welfare and workforce intervention by the Yobe State Government, with the employment of 1,095 medical and allied health students potentially creating a pipeline of trained personnel for the state’s healthcare system while salary and allowance reforms seek to improve retention and service delivery across key sectors.
