On Wednesday, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria issued a statement regarding updated regulations and criteria that applicants for certificate verification with foreign nursing boards/councils must meet.
The council has implemented a new stipulation that applicants must possess a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience starting from the moment their permanent practising licence is issued.
The revised guidelines for certificate verification were posted on the council’s X page on Wednesday after being signed by the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Abubakar.
“Applicants are required to visit https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/ and log in before clicking the verification application link to initiate the verification application,” the document stated.
"As specified on the portal, a non-refundable fee per application is required for verification by Foreign Boards of Nursing. This shall cover the cost of courier services to the Foreign Board, the applicant’s place of employment, and any educational institutions attended.
“A minimum of two years of post-qualification experience must have elapsed since the issuance of the permanent practising licence for applicants to qualify.” Any application accompanied by a provisional license shall be categorically rejected.
“In response to the request, the council shall receive letters of good standing from the chief executive officers of the applicant’s previous employers and nursing training institutions. Please ensure that your correspondence is directly addressed to the Registrar/CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.” Please be advised that such letters shall not be accepted by the council via the applicant.
Furthermore, as previously stated, the NMCN now requires applicants to possess a legitimate practical licence for a minimum of an additional six months.
On social media, however, the revised guidelines have prompted a wave of outrage.
It has been criticized by nurses and health professionals as an obvious violation of fundamental human rights.
Nationwide, midwives and nurses expressed anger earlier on Wednesday regarding the NMCN verification portal’s inactivity since December 2023.
According to the nurses contacted by our correspondent, the council’s deactivation of the portal was an intentional act intended to hinder their capacity to investigate alternative professional opportunities.
The NMCN is the exclusive corporate, legal, administrative, and legislative entity entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the public receives safe and effective nursing and midwifery care on behalf of the federal government.