Just In: Nurses In Abuja Stage Protest Against Newly Introduced Certificate Verification Guidelines....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nurses affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the recent certification verification guidelines issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)…………CONTINUE READING

The demonstration, which unfolded outside the NMCN’s headquarters in Abuja, emphasized the nurses’ frustrations and concerns regarding policies they perceive as potential obstacles to their professional development and access to career opportunities.

The nurses’ discontent arises from a circular released by the NMCN on February 7, 2024, outlining updated guidelines for certificate verification for nurses and midwives.

This action by the council has sparked significant opposition from the nursing community, who view the new regulations as excessively restrictive and detrimental to their career progression.

Protesters at the demonstration urged the NMCN not only to reconsider the new guidelines but also to prioritize addressing critical issues affecting the nursing profession, including welfare, salary structures, staffing shortages, and other essential rights integral to their work environment and professional fulfillment.

The controversy surrounding the verification process began after The Nivo News reported the deactivation of the verification portal on the NMCN’s website in December 2023, causing unrest and uncertainty among nursing professionals.

The subsequent revision of the verification guidelines appears to have escalated tensions, prompting nurses to demand a more transparent and supportive approach from the regulatory body.

The circular, signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, stated, “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to foreign nursing boards as specified on the portal. This fee covers the cost of courier services to the applicant’s training institution(s), workplace, and foreign board.

“Eligible applicants must possess a minimum of two years’ post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license. Applications with provisional licenses will be rejected outright.

“The council will require a letter of good standing from the applicant’s workplace CEO and the last nursing training institution attended, and responses to these shall be directed to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council will not accept such letters from the applicant.”

The council also stipulated that applicants must hold active practicing licenses with a minimum of six months until expiration, and the processing of verification applications will take a minimum of six months.

It further stated that the implementation of the guidelines will commence on March 1, 2024.

During Monday’s protest, nurses and midwives gathered outside the NMCN office, chanting slogans and displaying placards around the premises.

Some of the messages on the placards included, “Address unemployment among nurses,” “Combat quackery,” “Improve nurses’ welfare,” and “#No to verification rules. Stop frustrating Nigerian nurses; we are already facing numerous challenges. Protect nurses, protect healthcare. NMCN, we reject the verification rules. NMCN, don’t diminish nurses’ roles,” among others.