Patients visiting hospitals across Nigeria are increasingly finding it difficult to distinguish nurses from other health workers as colored scrubs and varied uniforms replace the once-distinctive traditional white nursing attire.
For decades, the white dress and cap symbolized the nursing profession in Nigeria, making nurses easily recognizable in hospitals and reinforcing a professional identity associated with discipline, care, and service.
However, that longstanding tradition is gradually giving way to colored scrubs and varied uniforms now widely adopted across many health facilities, reflecting changing workplace practices, global trends, and institutional preferences.
The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, says the Federal Government is aware of the growing shift away from traditional nursing uniforms nationwide.
Alhassan told reporters on Monday in Abuja that hospitals obtained approval to adopt different colors and designs instead of the traditional white nursing uniform. He noted that there was a longstanding regulation requiring nurses to wear white uniforms with specific designs, ensuring uniformity and easy identification of nursing personnel nationwide.
Hospitals later requested flexibility to introduce other colors and sewing patterns for uniforms—a proposal subsequently approved by the Federal Government after consultations with relevant health authorities. “Today, every hospital can design its own uniform, including the color and sewing pattern used by nurses,” he said, explaining that institutions now determine dress codes according to internal policies.
Alhassan explained that in many hospitals, uniform colors are now used to distinguish categories, ranks, and levels of nurses, helping administrators organize staff roles and responsibilities within healthcare teams. “When you go to many hospitals, you see nurses wearing different colors based on their classification and level,” he said, describing the colour-coding approach. Nurses within the same category often wear the same color and pattern, enabling colleagues and hospital management to quickly recognize professional responsibilities and hierarchy.
Some hospitals also moved away from white uniforms because the color stains easily in clinical settings where nurses regularly handle patients, medications, and medical procedures. Alhassan emphasized that professional standards guiding nursing practice remain unchanged despite variations in uniforms, with competence, discipline, and ethics continuing to define the profession.
He congratulated nurses and midwives for their dedication, acknowledging the demanding nature of their work, and urged them to continue prioritizing patient safety while ongoing dialogue with government authorities seeks improvements in welfare and working conditions.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lucia Alle, Director of Nursing Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the uniform shift reflects evolving healthcare practices. She explained that the increasing adoption of scrubs is influenced by global healthcare trends and infection prevention measures essential in modern medical environments. “Scrubs are easier to maintain, more practical for clinical work, and support better hygiene standards,” she said, noting that the absence of a national dress code has created identification challenges for patients and visitors.
Patients sometimes struggle to distinguish between doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers when uniforms appear similar in color, design, and style. “This can affect patients’ confidence, communication, and accountability in healthcare delivery,” Alle said. She recommended measures such as colour-coded uniforms, visible name tags, and designation badges to improve identification and reduce confusion.
Alle also highlighted that the traditional white uniform and cap remain historically significant symbols of the nursing profession. She stressed that professional identity is defined by competence, ethics, training, and dedication to patient care rather than attire alone. Some hospital departments adopt scrubs due to operational needs, particularly in theater settings and accident and emergency units where hygiene and flexibility are critical.
Nurse Mrs. Titilayo Olorunfemi explained that hospital management usually determines the uniforms worn by nurses. In some facilities, specific colors are assigned to particular working days or departments to improve organization and staff coordination. “In my hospital, we wear white only on Mondays, while other days have different colors,” she said. Olorunfemi emphasized the importance of visible name tags and proper introductions when interacting with patients. She added that scrubs are widely preferred because they are comfortable, lightweight, and easier to maintain during long clinical duties.
Health experts say that while modern uniforms support hygiene, comfort, and efficiency, clear identification systems remain essential for strengthening patient trust, communication, and accountability in healthcare delivery.
