By Milcah Tanimu

The Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has defended its recent certificate verification guideline for nurses, asserting that it is in the best interest of the nation. This comes in response to protests by nurses from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, who expressed discontent with the new guidelines, claiming it hinders their career opportunities.

The circular, issued on February 7, 2024, outlines revised guidelines for certificate verification for nurses and midwives. It introduces changes such as a non-refundable fee for verification, a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, and the requirement for a letter of good standing from the applicant’s place of work and training institution. The processing time for verification applications is set to take a minimum of six months.

During the protest at the NMCN’s office in Abuja, nurses raised placards expressing concerns about the new rules and called for attention to issues such as unemployment, quackery, and poor nurses’ welfare. They urged the government to address these matters instead of introducing new verification guidelines.

The Registrar of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, addressed the nurses during the peaceful protest, assuring them that their complaints would be addressed promptly. He acknowledged the nurses’ mobilization and stated that the revised guidelines were implemented in the best interest of Nigerians. Dr. Abubakar emphasized that no one is against nurses and midwives traveling abroad.

He promised to address the nurses’ concerns within a couple of days and encouraged them to return to their respective places of work. Dr. Abubakar assured the nurses that their documents would be thoroughly reviewed, and every issue would be addressed.

The NMCN is a statutory body mandated to regulate the standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice in Nigeria. The council aims to ensure the delivery of safe and effective nursing and midwifery care to the public through quality education and best practices.