Percy Onyeka
The Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s new verification certification requirements have sparked a protest by nurses operating under the auspices of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja branch.
On Monday, the demonstration was held at the NMCN headquarters in Abuja.
Around the grounds, the midwives and nurses were holding signs and singing.
The signs said, “#No to verification rules,” “Address unemployment among nurses, address quakery, address nurses welfare,” and other things.
“Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses; we are going through a lot already. Protect nurses, protect healthcare, NMCN; we say no to the verification rules, NMCN; don’t reduce nurses.”
The nurses are complaining over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities.
They are asking the council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights.
Recall that the NMCN issued a circular on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.
The council’s circular was released after a report of the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website since December 2023.
The circular signed by the Registrar of the Council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, read in part, “A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification by foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal.
This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and foreign board.
“Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright.
“The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.
The council further said that processing verification applications would need a minimum of six months and that applicants must have valid practicing licenses with at least six months remaining on their expiration date.
It further stated that the guidelines will go into effect on March 1, 2024.
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