Nigerian Nurses Face Deportation Abroad as Certification Verification Portal Remains Closed

Hundreds of Nigerian nurses are currently stranded abroad, with many facing potential deportation, due to the prolonged closure of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) portal for certificate verification. This portal is crucial for the authentication of nursing credentials, which is required by various international nursing boards.

The situation has led nursing boards in countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom to halt the acceptance of certificates from Nigerian nurses. The inability to verify these certificates has left many nurses unable to continue their professional practice or secure new opportunities abroad.

Despite repeated urgings from the National Assembly for the NMCN to reopen its portal, the council has yet to comply. The Assembly had earlier recommended that the council revert to its previous guidelines for verification, pending the outcome of an investigation by the House Committee on Health Institutions. However, this directive has been ignored by the NMCN.

A recent communication from the National Assembly, dated August 13, 2024, further emphasized the need for the council to align with the Assembly’s resolution. This letter was in response to concerns raised by Hon. Patrick Umoh, highlighting the urgency of safeguarding institutional integrity and addressing the council’s apparent misinterpretation of previous resolutions.

The crisis began in February 2024 when the NMCN revised its guidelines for certificate verification, introducing new requirements such as a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience and a non-refundable application fee. The council introduced these measures in response to the increasing exodus of Nigerian nurses seeking better opportunities abroad, which saw over 42,000 nurses leave the country in the past three years.

The new guidelines were met with widespread opposition from nurses and healthcare workers, who viewed the requirements as an infringement on their rights and an unnecessary obstacle to their professional advancement. Protests erupted in Abuja and Lagos, with nurses demanding the reversal of the new policies. Some even took legal action against the NMCN, though the case has since been withdrawn following negotiations.

Despite assurances from the NMCN that they are working to restore the portal, the delay continues to cause significant hardship. A nurse from a leading university teaching hospital in Nigeria, who requested anonymity, expressed frustration over the prolonged closure and the deteriorating working conditions in the country’s health sector. She described the situation as “painful,” highlighting the challenges faced by healthcare workers due to inadequate infrastructure and poor working conditions.

The Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN) has also been actively involved in resolving the issue. The association’s president, Mr. Ojo Opeyemi, noted that a coalition had been formed to negotiate with the NMCN and that they are optimistic about a positive resolution. However, the uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on affected nurses, many of whom are already stranded abroad.

Efforts to reach the NMCN for comment were unsuccessful, as were attempts to contact the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). Meanwhile, the situation remains dire for Nigerian nurses abroad, with reports indicating that some may soon face mass deportations from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Canada.