The sudden NMCN verification portal closure in February has left Nigerian nurses abroad unable to renew licences, risking jobs and legal status.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s (NMCN) unexpected deactivation of its verification portal in February 2023 has caused widespread chaos among Nigerian nurses working overseas.
Unable to renew their licences, many now face severe consequences, including job losses and potential deportation.
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One nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his experience of losing his job at a UK Trust due to the portal closure.
Despite completing all required exams, he couldn’t obtain his registered nurse pin, leading to his dismissal. Despite repeated pleas to the NMCN, no solution was offered.
Similarly, Ovie, a nurse in the UK, expressed fears of deportation as her verification process remains incomplete.
She arrived in the UK hoping to study and work part-time as a nurse, but the ongoing portal suspension has blocked her registration and employment opportunities. With her visa set to expire soon, the future looks uncertain.
Hannah, a nurse practising in Saudi Arabia, echoed these frustrations, with many others abroad facing similar challenges.
The closure has left numerous professionals stranded, unable to proceed with their nursing careers.
In response, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has been in talks with the government, urging the portal’s reopening.
The organisation remains hopeful for a resolution, but frustrations are growing. Civil rights groups have criticised the government’s handling of the situation, arguing it stifles the progress of Nigerian professionals abroad.
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