The sudden deactivation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s (NMCN) verification portal in February has thrown many Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad into a state of crisis.
Healthcare workers are now struggling to renew their licenses and meet international regulatory requirements. As a result, some nurses, lacking the necessary verification from NMCN, have found themselves in violation of visa and employment laws, leading to legal complications.
Reports indicate that many Nigerian nurses in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States have been forced to return home due to this issue. One nurse, speaking anonymously, shared his frustration with *Saturday PUNCH* after losing his job in the UK because he could not complete his verification process.
The nurse, who moved to the UK in September 2023, said he had completed all the necessary steps, including exams and document checks, but was unable to get his registered nurse pin due to the portal’s closure. Despite reaching out to the NMCN multiple times, he was unable to resolve the issue, and his employment was terminated as a result.
“This situation is both heartbreaking and devastating,” he said. “My career is at a standstill because of the portal’s closure. I’ve returned to Nigeria and have been to the NMCN offices several times, but nothing has been resolved. Without verification, I cannot proceed with my career, and I know many others are in the same situation.”
Another nurse, Ovie, who is based in the UK, expressed similar frustrations. Without verification, she cannot become a registered nurse in the UK, which has put her future and financial stability at risk. She worries that the ongoing delay will force her to return to Nigeria.
“My student visa is about to expire, and without the ability to work as a nurse, I may face deportation,” she lamented.
A nurse in Saudi Arabia, Hannah, also shared her growing frustration. She moved there in 2023 but now faces an uncertain future due to the unresolved verification issue. As deportation looms, she described her situation as both frustrating and emotionally draining.
In response to the growing concerns, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Michael Nnachi, said the group had been in talks with the government and hoped for a resolution soon. However, he urged affected members to remain patient.
Deputy National President Abubakar Shehu also expressed disappointment over the delay. He criticized the closure of the portal, stating that while other health professionals like doctors and pharmacists continue to migrate abroad, nurses face unnecessary hurdles. Shehu mentioned that the NMCN registrar had assured them that the portal would reopen soon, though no specific date was provided.
Efforts to reach the NMCN Registrar, Faruk Abubakar, have so far been unsuccessful. However, Abubakar recently assured that the matter was being resolved and that the portal would soon reopen.
Debo Adeniran, President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, also condemned the government for restricting the opportunities of Nigerian professionals abroad, urging them to support those seeking to better their lives and careers globally.
Adeniran emphasized that Nigerian healthcare professionals continue to secure prestigious roles internationally, despite the shortcomings of the local system, and called on the government to support them rather than hinder their progress.
