Protests Erupt as Nurses Challenge New Verification Rules Issued by NMCN in Lagos, Abuja

Nurses affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NMCN) are staging protests at the NMCN offices in Abuja and Yaba, Lagos, expressing their discontent with recently issued verification certification guidelines.

Released in a circular on Thursday, the NMCN declared that applicants seeking certification verification for foreign nursing boards must possess a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience. Additionally, the council outlined a non-refundable application fee and specified procedures for verification through their online portal.

The circular stated, “Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two (2) years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of a permanent practicing license. Any application with a provisional license shall be rejected outrightly.”

Outraged by the new guidelines, nurses and health workers took to social media, condemning it as a violation of their rights. In response, protesting nurses, clad in their scrubs, brandished placards and banners outlining their demands.

The demonstrations in Lagos have caused traffic disruptions in the area. The nurses are unequivocally calling for an immediate withdrawal of the circular, demanding that the verification process be expedited within 48 hours and be made free of charge.

Furthermore, they seek an increase in remuneration and hazard allowance. The standoff reflects a growing tension between healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies, highlighting concerns about working conditions and bureaucratic hurdles in the healthcare sector.