The sudden deactivation of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) in February 2024 has caused significant disruptions for Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad. The portal’s deactivation has hindered healthcare workers’ ability to renew their licenses and meet international regulatory requirements, resulting in severe consequences.
Without the necessary verification from the NMCN, some nurses are in violation of visa conditions and employment laws, leading to legal repercussions. This has forced many nurses, including those in the United Kingdom and the United States, to return to Nigeria.
A nurse who spoke to Punch shared their experience of being thrilled to join the UK Trust, a prestigious healthcare organization, after moving from Nigeria in September 2023. However, the deactivation of the verification portal has now put their career and immigration status at risk.
A Nigerian nurse, who had relocated to the UK in September 2023, has shared his distressing experience after the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) deactivated its verification portal. Despite completing exams and document checks, he was unable to obtain his registration pin due to the portal’s closure.
He reached out to the NMCN for assistance but was informed that no further verifications could be conducted on the closed portal. Consequently, his employment with the UK Trust was terminated due to his inability to meet certification requirements.
The nurse has returned to Nigeria and has made repeated visits to the NMCN, urging them to provide a letter of good standing to verify his credentials. However, his efforts have been unsuccessful. He described the situation as “saddening” and “suicidal,” feeling that his career is now stagnant due to the council’s actions.
A court case against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) regarding the verification process has been withdrawn, yet the portal remains inactive. This situation has impacted numerous nurses, including those who chose not to speak out initially. In the coming weeks, many nurses may return to Nigeria, facing uncertain futures, with some potentially considering drastic measures.
Ovie, a Nigerian nurse in the UK, expressed her concerns, stating that without completing her verification, she cannot become a registered nurse, leaving her future uncertain. She had planned to complete the verification process while studying for a nursing top-up program to become a UK-registered nurse, allowing her to work part-time and support herself. However, the portal’s closure has disrupted her plans, causing significant distress and uncertainty about her future.
Ovie, a Nigerian nurse in the UK, expressed her frustration and concern about the prolonged suspension of the verification process by the NMCN, which has severely impacted her career plans and stay in the UK. Despite initially thinking it was a temporary issue, the months-long delay has caused significant uncertainty, affecting her studies, future career prospects, and financial stability.
Without completing her verification, Ovie is unable to register as a nurse in the UK, limiting her job opportunities and threatening her financial independence. As she nears the end of her studies, she faces the risk of deportation due to the delay, adding to her distress and uncertainty about her future. The situation has left her feeling stranded and uncertain about her ability to pursue her nursing career in the UK.
Another Nigerian nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her struggles with the verification portal closure. She had moved to the UK to pursue her passion for nursing, but the journey has been fraught with challenges. The closure of the verification portal has prevented her from scheduling her Computer-Based Test (CBT), leaving her in a state of limbo.
She explained that she traveled to the UK last year, passed her English test in January, but has been unable to progress due to the portal’s closure. Without the CBT, she is unable to move forward with her nursing career in the UK. This has caused significant distress and uncertainty about her future, as she is now stuck in a holding pattern, unable to realize her dreams of becoming a registered nurse in the UK.
Hannah, a Nigerian nurse based in Saudi Arabia, shared her concerns about the uncertainty surrounding her career due to the verification portal’s closure. She had relocated to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to practice nursing, but the situation has taken a toll on her.
Meanwhile, Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, revealed that the association has been engaging with the government on various demands, including the reopening of the verification portal. He mentioned that a committee has been established to review the ongoing discussions, indicating efforts to address the issue and find a resolution. This development offers a glimmer of hope for affected nurses like Hannah, who are eagerly awaiting a solution to this crisis.
Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that a positive response from the government is needed soon to address the verification portal’s closure. While he acknowledged efforts to engage with the government, he couldn’t provide a specific timeline for a resolution.
Nnachi advised affected nurses to remain patient, acknowledging the difficulties they face and expressing the association’s discomfort with the situation. However, he also cautioned that even if agreements are reached with the government, they often fail to fulfill their promises.
Abubakar Shehu, the Deputy National President of the association, also expressed frustration with the delay in activating the verification portal, sharing Nnachi’s concern and sense of urgency. Both leaders are pushing for a prompt resolution to alleviate the challenges faced by Nigerian nurses abroad.
