Nigerian nurses stranded abroad, risk deportation over certificate verification

Hundreds of Nigerian nurses have been left stranded due to the continued closure of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) portal, which verifies nursing certificates. This situation has caused some nurses abroad to face deportation while others remain stuck in limbo.

The closure has affected the acceptance of Nigerian nursing certificates by boards in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. The National Assembly has twice called on NMCN to reopen the portal and resume verifications under the old guidelines until the investigation by the House Committee on Health Institutions is concluded. However, NMCN has yet to comply with these directives.

A recent letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly, dated August 13, 2024, criticized NMCN for misinterpreting a House resolution and called for immediate action. The matter gained attention when Hon. Patrick Umoh raised concerns about safeguarding institutional integrity.

The closure of the portal stems from concerns over the mass exodus of over 42,000 nurses from Nigeria in the past three years, with 15,000 leaving in 2023 alone. In response to this brain drain, NMCN introduced revised guidelines for certificate verification in February 2024, requiring applicants to have two years of post-qualification experience, a letter of good standing, and a non-refundable application fee. The process was extended to take six months.

The new policy faced strong opposition from nurses and health workers, who argued that the guidelines were restrictive and infringed on their rights. Protests erupted, and some nurses even pursued legal action, though the case was later withdrawn.

Nurses have expressed frustration over poor working conditions in Nigeria’s health sector, citing a lack of basic resources such as electricity and water in hospitals. Many feel forced to seek opportunities abroad due to these challenges. While some advocate for reforms, others, particularly the Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN), are working to resolve the verification issue through negotiations with NMCN.

Despite ongoing efforts to reopen the portal, many nurses remain stranded, with looming threats of mass deportations from countries like Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Canada. The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has now issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the reopening of the portal, improved salary structures, and the inclusion of nurses in policymaking. Failure to meet these demands could lead to industrial action.