By Blessing Nneoma Nebo
Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, Anambra State, on 12 November 2025, received an accreditation team from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the physical and human resources available for the commencement of the institution’s Diploma in Nursing Programme.
The delegation first paid a courtesy visit to the Proprietor of the College, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor. After a brief introduction by the team, His Lordship warmly welcomed the visitors and expressed appreciation for the important assignment they were undertaking.
The NBTE delegation comprised the Principal Programme Officer, Fahad Abdallah; Representative of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Dr. Amarachi Okorie; and Mrs. Patricia Ngozi (Zonal Officer); the Director of Nursing Services, Anambra State, Mrs. Dike Christiana Ebere; and the Provost of Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Mrs. Anthonia Ngozi Igboka, among others.
Also present were key officials of the College, including the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubisi; the Board Chairman and Administrator of the College, Rev. Fr. JohnPaul Chukwuelobe; and other Management staff.
The team embarked on an advisory and resource inspection of the institution. The assessment focused on verifying the adequacy of facilities and personnel required for the takeoff of the nursing programme. The College showcased several facilities provided in readiness for the programme’s commencement. These included well-built hostels, a functional refectory, steady water and power supply, well-equipped classrooms, a spacious demonstration room, offices, and other essential academic and administrative spaces.
The NBTE team thoroughly inspected the facilities and interacted with staff to confirm compliance with accreditation standards. As part of the inspection, the delegation visited the Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital, where students are expected to undergo clinical training. They met with the MD/CEO, Rev. Fr. Innocent Affusin; the Head of Nursing Services, Mrs. Ezeobi Ujunwa Jacinta; staff, and students. The team examined the hospital’s resources, training environment, and overall readiness to support clinical education.
At the end of the evaluation exercise, the NBTE team expressed satisfaction with the quality of facilities and resources available, both at the college and at the Specialist Hospital. They commended the Management for maintaining high standards and for demonstrating readiness for the full implementation of the curriculum.
In an interview, the NBTE Principal Programme Officer, Abdallah, praised the College for its level of preparedness, noting that the demonstration room was exceptionally organized—exceeding the minimum NBTE requirements. He affirmed that the available resources would effectively support curriculum delivery and promote high-quality teaching and learning. He further advised the College to ensure consistent maintenance of the facilities.
The Administrator of the College, Rev. Fr. Chukwuelobe, expressed gratitude to the NBTE team for their visit and positive feedback. He stated that with the encouraging outcome of the inspection, he was confident that the long-held vision of establishing a fully functional College of Nursing Sciences in Awka was close to realization. This was even as he reaffirmed that the institution was fully prepared to commence academic activities upon the granting of final a pproval.
