Nigerian Nurses stranded abroad due to certificate verification crisis

Hundreds of Nigerian nurses are facing an uncertain future abroad, caught in a bureaucratic crisis as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has kept its certificate verification portal closed for months.

The situation has left many stranded, with some at risk of deportation, as they struggle to meet international requirements for employment and further education.

The NMCN’s portal, which is crucial for verifying the authenticity of Nigerian nursing certificates, has remained shut despite repeated calls from the National Assembly to reopen it.

As a result, nursing boards in countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom have stopped accepting certificates from Nigerian nurses, citing their inability to confirm the documents’ legitimacy.

Behind the Closure: A Move to Address Brain Drain

The portal’s closure follows the introduction of revised guidelines by the NMCN in February 2024, which were aimed at curbing the mass exodus of nurses from Nigeria. Over 42,000 Nigerian nurses have left the country in the past three years, including 15,000 in 2023 alone, primarily due to poor working conditions, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and low wages.

To address the crisis, the NMCN instituted stricter requirements for certificate verification, mandating that applicants must have at least two years of post-qualification experience, a letter of good standing from their place of work, and a non-refundable application fee. The guidelines also stipulate a minimum processing time of six months for verifications.

While the council argues that these measures are necessary to stem the “brain drain,” they have been met with fierce resistance from nurses and other health workers who see them as unfair and restrictive.

Protests and Political Tension

The new policy has sparked significant backlash. Nurses under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have staged protests in Abuja and Lagos, arguing that the guidelines infringe on their professional rights. They have demanded the immediate reopening of the portal and a return to the previous verification system, which did not impose such stringent requirements.

The situation escalated when the National Assembly intervened twice, urging the NMCN to revert to its former verification process. However, the council has yet to act on these directives. A letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal, dated August 13, 2024, reiterated the lawmakers’ position and criticized the council for not heeding their earlier resolutions.

Hon. Patrick Umoh, who raised the matter in the Assembly, emphasized the need to safeguard institutional integrity and avoid any misinterpretation of the Assembly’s stance. Despite these efforts, the council’s portal remains closed, causing frustration and confusion among affected nurses.

Fallout for Nigerian Nurses Abroad

The impact of the closure has been severe. Many Nigerian nurses currently abroad cannot verify their credentials, putting their jobs and immigration status at risk. Others who had planned to move or pursue further studies are now stuck in limbo, unable to provide the necessary documentation to foreign institutions.

“We are in a state of panic,” said a nurse who preferred to remain anonymous. “Many of us are at risk of losing our jobs or being deported because we cannot meet the verification requirements.”

The Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria (GNAN) has been working to resolve the crisis, forming a coalition with other nursing groups to negotiate with the NMCN. GNAN President, Mr. Ojo Opeyemi, expressed optimism that a solution could be reached but acknowledged that the situation remains dire for many nurses. “We are doing everything we can to ensure this issue is resolved quickly,” he said, “but the damage is already being felt by our members.”

A Growing Crisis in Healthcare

The controversy highlights deeper issues in Nigeria’s healthcare system. With nurses leaving in droves, the country faces a worsening shortage of healthcare professionals. Poor working conditions, lack of essential supplies, and inadequate pay have long plagued Nigeria’s health sector, pushing many skilled workers to seek opportunities elsewhere.

One nurse described the challenges faced daily: “We often work without electricity, water, or basic medical supplies. Patients suffer and sometimes die because we lack the tools to do our jobs properly. It’s heartbreaking, and it forces us to consider leaving for better opportunities.”

Looking Ahead: Calls for Action

The ongoing standoff has put pressure on the government and the NMCN to act quickly. There are growing calls for the council to comply with the National Assembly’s directives and reopen the portal to allow nurses to verify their certificates and continue their careers without further disruption.

Meanwhile, healthcare advocates are urging the government to address the root causes of the crisis—namely, the poor conditions that drive healthcare professionals away. “If we don’t fix the underlying issues in our health system, we will continue to lose our best and brightest,” one health worker warned.

Until then, the fate of hundreds of Nigerian nurses remains in limbo, caught between an uncertain future abroad and a healthcare system at home that is struggling to retain its talent.