FINALLY, NMCN Re-Opens Verification Portal, Went Against House of Rep Directives

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The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has opened the Foreign Verification Portal after almost nine months of closure.

The portal was opened in the late hour of Friday, 13th September, 2024, nearly 48 hours to the expiration of the 15 days ultimatum issued by National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The Buildups 

On February 7, the council released a circular on the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives in the country.

By the circular, nurses and midwives must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence, and 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, among others.

This led to state councils and chapters of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives in Nigeria in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kaduna, Yenagoa, Ondo, Plateau, and others to petition the nursing council and the headquarters of their association to demand the withdrawal of the circular on certificate verification.

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Some nurses and midwives also protested the guidelines, and some dragged the NMCN to court, and the court case was withdrawn.

On February 27, the House of Representatives also asked the council not to implement its revised guidelines for issuing verification certificates to nurses and midwives in the country.

The professionals have said that the council’s action is an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities abroad.

They also said it was not unconnected to the plan of the Federal Government to reduce the number of health workers emigrating out of the country to seek greener pastures abroad.

On Friday, NANNM appealed to the Federal Government to address the association’s demands with urgency.

The National President of the association, Michael Nnachi listed some of the pressing needs of the association as the re-opening of the nurses and midwives certificate verification portal, payment of salaries of all staff of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, constitution of the board, creation of special nurses salary structure or immediate review of nurses peculiar professional allowances.

The Lacuna In The Portal Opened

The management of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has reopened its verification portal with the new guidelines. 

The new directive requested that all nurses must tender their employment letter before being verified by the portal.

A caveat on the newly opened portal reads: “Required: An email requesting a Letter of Good Standing addressed to the Registrar/CEO from Head of Nursing in the Organisation signed by the head of nursing will be sent to the provided email address.” 

The latest step by the NMCN is in total disregard to a subsisting order given by the House of Representatives, directing the NMCN management to open the verification portal without any restrictive guidelines.

The House of Representatives had ordered the NMCN to suspend the implementation of the guidelines pending an investigation into the controversy surrounding them.

The NMCN's verification process is a critical step for nurses and midwives seeking to practise in Nigeria. 

The new guidelines have been criticised for being overly restrictive and burdensome, leading to widespread opposition from stakeholders.

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