Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad are distressed by the abrupt deactivation of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The portal was shut down in February 2024, creating major hurdles for healthcare workers seeking to renew their licenses and meet international regulatory standards.
As a result, many nurses without the required NMCN verification find themselves in violation of visa conditions and employment laws, facing potential legal issues.
Numerous nurses overseas, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, have been forced to return to Nigeria due to this problem.
One nurse told Punch that he was thrilled to join a prestigious UK Trust healthcare organization after relocating from Nigeria in September 2023. However, his aspirations were thwarted when the NMCN deactivated the verification portal.
He had completed a series of exams and document checks, only needing the PIN from the verification portal to finalize his registration.
In a bid to resolve the issue, he reached out to the NMCN for help, but their policy prevented any further verification through the closed portal.
Consequently, bound by its policies, the UK Trust terminated his employment due to his inability to meet certification requirements.
He expressed his frustration, saying, “The situation is not only disheartening but feels like a dead end for my career. Now I’m back in Nigeria. I’ve repeatedly visited the nursing council, pleading for a letter of good standing, but my efforts have been in vain.”
Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, informed Punch that the association has been in talks with the government about several issues, including the reopening of the verification portal. He noted that a committee has been formed to oversee these discussions.
Nnachi said, “If we don’t receive a positive response soon, I can’t predict what will happen next. We have engaged with the government, and while I can’t provide a specific timeline, I remain hopeful. I urge our affected members to be patient. We understand the difficulties they face and share their discomfort with the situation, but patience is crucial. Historically, even when agreements are reached, the government often fails to follow through. Despite this, I remain optimistic for a favorable resolution.”
Additionally, Deputy National President Abubakar Shehu expressed frustration over the delay in reactivating the verification portal.