The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has reopened its verification portal after almost nine months of closure, eliciting mixed reactions from nurses and midwives. While the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has been commended for its efforts in ensuring the portal’s reopening, concerns have been raised regarding the accessibility of the portal to new nurses and the continued enforcement of the two-year post-qualification experience requirement.
In February 2024, the NMCN issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. The circular stipulated that eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience and an active practicing license with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, among other requirements.
Nurses have expressed concerns regarding the verification fee, which they deem exorbitant. Jude Chiedu, a Fellow of the West African College of Nursing, called for a reduction in the verification fee, citing the digital advancements in the verification process.
Anthony Ijeoma, a nurse at Nursingworld Nigeria, expressed excitement about the portal’s reopening but noted concerns regarding the requirement for a letter of good standing from the Head of Nursing at one’s current place of employment. He urged the council to reconsider this requirement and explore alternative procedures that would facilitate a smoother process for nurses seeking verification.
Another nurse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed gratitude to the NMCN for reopening the portal but emphasized that the attached clauses remain a cause for concern and may create unnecessary barriers for nurses.
The NMCN’s decision to reopen the verification portal has been seen as a positive step, but the concerns raised by nurses highlight the need for further review and revision of the guidelines to ensure a more accessible and streamlined verification process.
