Nurses from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, protested the new verification certification rules issued by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The nurses on Monday, voiced concern with what they regarded as an attempt to limit their ability to seek career prospects, and asked the council to address nurses’ welfare, compensation scale, staff shortage, and other rights.
Our correspondent observed the demonstration at the NMCN office in Abuja.
On February 7, 2024, the NMCN released a circular amending the procedures for seeking verification of credentials for nurses and midwives.
The council’s circular was issued in response to reports that the verification gateway on the NMCN’s website had been deactivated since December 2023.
Dr. Faruk Abubakar, the council’s Registrar, signed the circular, said:
“A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. This shall cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and foreign board.
“Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outright.
“The council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN. Please note that the council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.”
cc: Punch Ng
