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Outrage As Nigerian Nursing Council Demands Two-year Experience For Overseas Practice

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, on Wednesday, announced revised guidelines and requirements for individuals applying for certificate verification with foreign nursing boards/councils.

Applicants are now required by the council to have at least two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of their permanent practising licence.

The revised guidelines for verification of certificates was signed by the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, and posted on the council’s X page on Wednesday.

It read, “Applicants are to visit https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/ and login to initiate verification application by clicking on the verification application link.

“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 permanent practising licence. Any application with provisional licence shall be rejected outrightly.

“The council shall request a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of 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, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Please note that council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.”

In addition to the mentioned requirements, NMCN now mandates that applicants possess an active practising licence that is valid for at least six more months.

However, the revised guidelines have sparked a wave of anger on social media.

Nurses and health workers have condemned it as a clear infringement on basic human rights.

Below are some of the reactions on X:

Sir Dickson wrote, “This is absolutely ridiculous @Nigeria_NMC There is no where in the world that this is done. You’re deliberately frustrating the nurses under your body. On what basis are you demanding two years work experience before they can verify their certificates? Why is verification taking minimum of six months? Six months!! What are you verifying?

“The @NigeriaGov needs to intervene in this witchcraft.”

detola wrote, ” You’re a shameless body. @Nigeria_NMC, your nurses are barely feeding with the meagre salary they are collecting. You are not actively challenging that neither are you countering quackery but you’re flexing muscles on nurses seeking career progression.”

Nurse Danie wrote, “We were taught advocacy in nursing school but it’s a shame that our own highest nursing body is not advocating for nurses.

“You want to keep nurses in Nigeria for two years against their will and you didn’t advocate for better salary for them?”

Dr Bishop wrote, “This is very unfair and draconian on nurses. Same nurses that are poorly paid and the system refuse to adequately upskill despite so much responsibility and little to no authority.

“Nurses are taking steps on their own to improve themselves but @Nigeria_NMC wants to remain in the stone age. Every doctor should join and oppose this, otherwise they will come for doctors next.”

PeterObi’sLastDaughter wrote: “Aren’t we supposed to be moving forward? Verification that used to take two weeks is now sjx months?

“Which one is two years post qualification experience again? Indirectly, a newly qualified nurse can’t apply for verification.”

Earlier on Wednesday, nurses and midwives in the country lamented the deactivation of the NMCN verification portal since December 2023.

The nurses, who were interviewed by The PUNCH, claimed that the council’s decision to deactivate the portal was a deliberate move to impede their ability to explore new career prospects.

The NMCN is the sole corporate, legal, administrative, and legislative organisation tasked with carrying out certain duties on behalf of the federal government to guarantee that the general public receives safe and effective nursing and midwifery care.

News

JUST IN: PDP Axes Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-party Activities

Published

15 minutes ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday expelled high-profile members including Federal Capital Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others for anti-party activities.

The action was “promptly ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates,” highlighting the party’s “commitment to restoring unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

This is according to the official statement released by @OfficialPDPNig across its social media handles, which read, “In a landmark move to restore unity, discipline, and focus ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expelled high-profile members Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Governor Ayo Fayose, Austin Nwachukwu, and several others.”

News

No Policeman Should Search Your Phone On The Road – Lagos CP

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated that no security ooerative has the right to search people’s phones on the road.

CP Jimoh said this on Thursday during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Police–Youth Dialogue Programme organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development at Alausa, Ikeja, where he also told Lagosians that their phones are their personal belongings.

“Some people put me on TikTok where I said it that no policeman should search your phone on the road, I still stand by that order,” he said.

Jimoh said that the Lagos State Police Command is committed to strengthening its relationship with young people through continuous dialogue, community partnerships, and empowerment initiatives.

Speaking further at the event, with the theme, “The Power of Partnership: Cultural Trust and Understanding Between Youth and Law Enforcement Agencies,” which brought together police officers, youth representatives, civil society groups, and government officials, the CP described the youth as the “mirror of the society”.

The police commissioner talked about the critical role of young people in shaping policies and holding institutions accountable.

“The youth population is vibrant, innovative, and forward-thinking; they represent the energy that drives our economy and defines our culture,” Jimoh said.

“This programme has erased so many longstanding gaps and misunderstandings between the police and young people in the state.”

According to him, there are several initiatives aimed at improving police–youth relations, including the appointment of information officers across all area commands and the expansion of gender units to enhance the protection of women and children.

Jimoh also announced the launch of a new initiative, “Bail is Free,” with the CP making a promise that bail services would now be provided free of charge in all the police divisions across Lagos State.

“As part of the initiative, I have distributed complimentary cards bearing my signature, which guarantee free bail services across all police divisions in the state,” he said.

CP Jimoh also called on the youth to familiarise themselves with the law, noting that knowledge of their rights and responsibilities would help reduce friction with law enforcement.

“Partnership is not just a slogan; it is an active process of dialogue, respect, and adaptability. We listen more, judge less, and work together for a common goal,” he stated.

Jimoh added that the dialogue programme was a reflection of Lagos State’s vision of proactive community policing and youth empowerment, aimed at fostering trust, accountability, and security in Nigeria’s commercial hub.

News

Obiano’s Ex-aide Opens Up On Rumoured Former Anambra Gov’s Death

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2025

Editor

The former Anambra State Commissioner for Information under Governor Willie Obiano, Mr C-Don Adinuba, has debunked rumours of the ex-governor’s death, confirming that Obiano is hale and hearty in Houston, United States, where he currently resides.

Claims had circulated on social media suggesting that Obiano, who served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, had died in London.

Adinuba, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, described the reports as “provocative” and “unfounded,” insisting that the former governor is alive and well with his family in the US.

He said, “I have been asked some probing questions by journalists and have heard a provocative rumour about the death of former Governor Willie Obiano. The rumour is not true. I just spoke with the former governor and members of his family a few minutes ago. He is hale and hearty in Houston, United States, where he resides.

“Contrary to the reports, Obiano is not in London and has not been hospitalised. He is strong, hale, and hearty, and bouncing in the US. Ignore the rumour—it is not from a credible source. Please, the report is fake; Obiano is still alive.”

Adinuba urged the public to disregard the claims.

Obiano’s personal publicist, Tony Nezianya, also told The PUNCH that he had not received any information confirming the rumours.

He said, “I can’t confirm this; I am not aware of such news.”

Obiano served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi, and handed over to the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, in March 2022.

He hails from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area and was born on August 8, 1955.

Obiano is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4 billion fraud.