Numerous Nigerian nurses are currently stranded abroad, with some facing possible deportation, due to the continued closure of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) portal for verifying their certificates.
Reports indicate that nursing boards in countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom have stopped accepting Nigerian nursing certificates due to their inability to confirm their validity.
Despite repeated calls from the National Assembly for the NMCN to reopen the verification portal and follow the previous guidelines while an investigation is conducted by the House Committee on Health Institutions, the council has yet to comply with this directive.
The most recent directive, dated August 13, 2024, involves a letter titled “Negative Portrayal of the House’s Resolution,” signed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal, and sent to the NMCN. This letter followed a motion raised by Hon. Patrick Umoh, highlighting the need to preserve the integrity of institutions and clarify any misunderstandings regarding the House’s earlier resolutions.
The National Assembly had previously advised the NMCN, on February 26, 2024, not to implement the revised verification guidelines dated February 7, 2023, until the investigation was completed. Concerns had been raised by health sector stakeholders about these revised guidelines, which could potentially hinder nurses’ career advancement by subjecting them to the judgment of other professionals.
Calls continue for a review of the new guidelines to ensure that the career progression of Nigerian nurses is not adversely affected.
