The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has faced mass opposition from Nigerian nurses and other users on X following the announcement of revised guidelines for verifying nursing certificates for foreign boards.
The revised guidelines, outlined in a statement by Registrar Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, aim to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
However, some nurses have expressed concerns about the new requirements and their potential impact.
Key Points of the Revised Guidelines:
• Application submission and fee payment through the online portal (https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/)
• Minimum of two years post-qualification experience and an active practicing license with six months’ validity.
• Letters of Good Standing from workplaces and training institutions required, addressed directly to the NMCN.
• Processing time of six months and strict adherence to complete documentation.
• Implementation effective March 1st, 2024.
However, the mandatory non-refundable fee and stricter eligibility criteria were met with criticism. The requirement for at least two years of post-qualification experience and an active license with six months validity was described as “unfair” by some.
Others expressed concern about the affordability of the verification fee, particularly for nurses seeking opportunities abroad.
Implementation Uncertainties:
Uncertainty surrounds the smooth implementation of the new guidelines. The NMCN’s assurance of a six-month processing time was met with skepticism by some nurses who have experienced delays in the past. Concerns were also raised about the potential for bureaucratic hurdles and the accessibility of the online platform for nurses in rural areas.
Here are some reactions from X:
Fight poor pay of nurses – silence
Fight quackery – silence
Fight victimization at work- silence
Fight unfavourable working conditions – silence
Nurses are leaving the country – let's clip their wingsVery useless body!!
— Dagbananurse (@dagbananurse) February 8, 2024
https://twitter.com/Osebaby5/status/1755392061157630104?t=nspUCLYqdyLaPx0rac0haw&s=19
Anything Nursing or Nurses on the TL today, Retweet and lend your voice.
The Nigerian Government is trying to rip them of their money and prestigious 2 years before verification.
Your profession can be the victim tomorrow. Don’t sleep ✊
— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) February 8, 2024
We are lending our voices for Nurses and Nursing Students in the country. The injustice from the council should get to the four corners of the world.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) February 8, 2024
It is sad what the Nursing & Midwifery council is doing to Nurses
Nigeria is at a state where there is a current breakdown of nursing practice
Rather than be a Sanballat and Tobiah of Nurses by trying to halt their growth and progression.
Fight for better rights for Nurses
— The_Bearded_Dr_Sina (@the_beardedsina) February 8, 2024
There’s no foolish shortage of nurses anywhere in Nigeria.
I Looked for job for good 3 months.
Some were offering 30k, 40k??
Do they know how much I paid in school??It was soo bad that my mum said I should stop looking for jobs and she’ll pay me.
— fowosere (@LadyFowosere) February 8, 2024
https://twitter.com/Sub_nurse1/status/1755501842660814863?t=tcGjOlOEHNkzQaWpAEQEjA&s=19
https://twitter.com/proudnursemj/status/1755565109483589811?t=uuGFplfGRH-4gzLvmfpvtQ&s=19
I saw that NMCN circular last night and I couldn't say a word. I was shocked and dumbfounded.
So the best solution NMCN could provide to nurses migrating out of the country is to make the verification process difficult. That's the most backward thinking I've seen in a while.
— Dagbananurse (@dagbananurse) February 8, 2024
We are not slaves so therefore we will not accept the ridiculous rule.
You messed with the wrong generation of nurses pic.twitter.com/304jKdnEKg— Nurse Ogochukwu (@ogolindalucy) February 8, 2024
