Nurses affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, staged a protest on Monday against the recently released certificate verification guidelines by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The nurses voiced their dissatisfaction, alleging that the guidelines impede their freedom to pursue career opportunities and demanded that the council address various concerns including nurses’ welfare, salary scale, and staff shortages.
The protest, closely monitored by our correspondent, unfolded at the NMCN’s office in Abuja. The NMCN had issued a circular on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for requesting certificate verification for nurses and midwives. This move came after reports from The PUNCH revealed the deactivation of the verification portal on the NMCN’s website since December 2023.
The circular, signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, introduced new requirements such as a non-refundable fee for verification to foreign nursing boards, a minimum of two years post-qualification experience, and the need for active practicing licenses. Additionally, the processing of verification applications would now take a minimum of six months, with implementation set to commence from March 1, 2024.
During the protest, nurses and midwives congregated at the NMCN office, chanting slogans and brandishing placards bearing various demands. The messages on the placards highlighted issues such as unemployment among nurses, the fight against quackery, and calls for improved welfare and protection for healthcare workers. Some of the slogans included “No to verification rules,” “Stop frustrating Nigerian nurses,” and “Protect nurses, protect healthcare.”
The demonstration underscores the growing discontent among nurses regarding the new guidelines and their broader concerns about the state of nursing profession in Nigeria.