In a significant setback for Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad, the Nigerian government’s abrupt closure of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s (NMCN) verification portal in February has triggered a crisis, compelling many Nigerian nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom and the United States to return to Nigeria. This unexpected development has left healthcare workers grappling with difficulties in renewing their licenses and meeting international regulatory standards.
The suspension of the NMCN verification portal has led to severe repercussions for those unable to complete their certification process. Nurses lacking the crucial NMCN verification are now in violation of visa requirements and employment regulations, exposing them to potential legal penalties.
According to PUNCH, the portal shutdown has forced several Nigerian nurses abroad to come back to Nigeria. One such nurse, speaking anonymously to avoid public embarrassment, shared his ordeal. After relocating to the UK in September 2023 with high hopes of joining the UK Trust, a renowned healthcare organization, his career aspirations were abruptly halted. Despite having completed exams and navigated complex documentation procedures, he was unable to finalize his registration due to the deactivated portal. Desperate for a solution, he reached out to the NMCN, only to find that the council’s policy precluded any further verification through the now-closed portal. Consequently, the UK Trust terminated his employment for failing to meet certification standards. “The situation is not only disheartening but also devastating. My career is at a standstill,” he lamented.
Similarly, another nurse known only as Ovie, currently in the UK, expressed her frustration. She had moved to the UK to pursue a nursing top-up program but found her plans thwarted by the portal closure. Unable to complete her verification, she is now facing uncertainty with her student visa expiring and the looming threat of deportation.
In Saudi Arabia, nurse Hannah also shared her distress. After relocating to practice nursing in 2023, she now faces an uncertain future, with deportation fears casting a shadow over her professional prospects.
Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and revealed that the association is in ongoing discussions with the government to address the issue. A committee has been established to evaluate the problem, and while Nnachi remains hopeful, he urged affected members to exercise patience. He expressed concern that even when agreements with the government are reached, they often fall short of implementation.
Abubakar Shehu, the association’s Deputy National President, voiced his frustration over the delay, criticizing the government’s handling of the portal closure. He noted that other healthcare workers, such as doctors and pharmacists, have not faced similar issues.
Despite assurances from the NMCN registrar that the portal will soon be reinstated, Shehu emphasized the significant negative impact the closure has had on Nigerian nurses seeking employment abroad.
The New Daily Prime has gathered that the NMCN’s decision to deactivate the portal is perceived by some as an attempt to deter nurses from pursuing career opportunities overseas. Earlier this year, on February 7, 2024, the NMCN introduced revised guidelines and requirements for credential and license approval. These new guidelines stipulate that individuals seeking certificate verification for international nursing boards must have at least two years of post-qualification experience. Additionally, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable fee for each verification application, as outlined on the council’s portal. The NMCN has defended these updated verification guidelines, asserting that they are designed to serve the best interests of the nation.
