Finally, NMCN Reopens Portal for Nurses, Midwives Verification Amid Ongoing Negotiations

The Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has officially reopened its online portal for the verification of nurses’ and midwives’ certificates, following months of closure. The portal, which had been deactivated since December 2023, became operational again on Saturday, 14th September, 2024. However, no formal statement has yet been issued by the NMCN regarding this development.

The reopening comes at a critical time, as the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government to address several long-standing demands. These include the immediate reopening of the Nurses’ Verification Portal, an improved salary structure for nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated Department of Nursing. The ultimatum was set to take effect on Monday, 16th September 2024, threatening potential industrial action.

According to insiders, negotiations between the NMCN, the Ministry of Health, and key stakeholders—including NANNM—were instrumental in the portal’s reopening. The Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN) confirmed that ongoing talks with the Minister of Health played a significant role in the resolution. Philip Eteng, National Secretary of GNAN, noted that progress in the negotiations led to the decision to reactivate the portal.

Despite the reopening, some nurses have been advised by NANNM to delay using the portal until Wednesday, 18th September, 2024, as minor issues related to verification guidelines are still being addressed. One notable change in the process is the requirement for a letter of clear standing from a nurse’s last institution or their workplace, a shift from the previous requirement of obtaining clearance from the Chief Medical Director.

The situation has sparked mixed reactions among nurses and stakeholders. Ojo Opeyemi, President of GNAN, confirmed that while the portal is active, concerns remain regarding some of the new guidelines. He emphasized the need for caution before making definitive judgments, as feedback from nurses currently navigating the verification process is being collected.

The closure of the portal earlier this year had left hundreds of Nigerian nurses stranded, both locally and abroad. Many had faced challenges in verifying their credentials, which affected their employment opportunities in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The closure followed an NMCN directive in February 2024 that introduced stricter verification guidelines to address the country’s worsening brain drain crisis. Over 15,000 Nigerian nurses left the country in 2023 alone, seeking better opportunities abroad, prompting the Council to impose the new regulations.