The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board (KW-HMB), Dr Abdulraheem Malik, was a special guest and keynote speaker at the 2026 Nigerian University Nursing Students' Association (NUNSA) Week organised by the University of Ilorin Chapter.

The event, themed "The Role of Nurses in Management and Opportunities for Nurses in Management Roles," brought together nursing students, healthcare professionals, academics, and stakeholders to explore the expanding leadership and administrative responsibilities of nurses within modern healthcare systems.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Malik highlighted the critical role nurses play not only in patient care but also in healthcare leadership, policy implementation, hospital administration, quality improvement, and health systems strengthening. He emphasised that the nursing profession offers enormous opportunities beyond clinical practice, including careers in healthcare management, administration, public health leadership, academia, healthcare consulting, and policymaking.

Drawing from his extensive experience in healthcare management, Dr Malik encouraged nursing students to develop leadership competencies, pursue continuous professional development, and position themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities in healthcare management. He noted that effective nurse leaders are essential to achieving improved healthcare outcomes, operational efficiency, and sustainable health sector development.

The Executive Secretary also commended the Nigerian University Nursing Students' Association for selecting a theme that aligns with the evolving dynamics of healthcare delivery and the increasing recognition of nurses as key stakeholders in healthcare leadership and decision-making.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to healthcare development in Kwara State, support for nursing education, mentorship of future healthcare professionals, and his participation in NUNSA Week 2026, the University of Ilorin Chapter of NUNSA presented an Honorary Award to Dr Abdulraheem Malik.

Receiving the award, Dr Malik expressed his gratitude to the association for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote professional growth, leadership development, and capacity building among healthcare professionals.

He further reiterated the commitment of the Kwara State Hospitals Management Board to creating an enabling environment for healthcare workers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of healthcare delivery in Kwara State and beyond.

The Kwara State Hospitals Management Board congratulated the Nigerian University Nursing Students' Association (NUNSA), University of Ilorin Chapter, on the successful organisation of NUNSA Week 2026 and applauded its efforts in inspiring future nursing leaders and healthcare managers.