The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has announced the reopening of its verification portal for nurses and midwives, a move that has been met with a mix of relief and scrutiny. The portal, which was deactivated earlier this year, is now available for professionals to submit their verification requests.
Checks by our correspondent on Saturday confirmed that the verification portal was reopened on Friday. The NMCN’s website now displays a notification stating, “Good news, verification requests are back online.” The update also notes that the expiration dates on renewal applications will be calculated based on the date of submission.
Anthony Ijeoma, a nurse affiliated with Nursingworld Nigeria, praised the NMCN for responding to concerns. “I commend NMCN for listening to reason and reopening its verification portal for nurses both within and outside the country,” Ijeoma said. The reopening of the portal is seen as a positive development for many professionals who faced challenges due to the earlier deactivation.
The sudden deactivation of the verification portal in February created significant upheaval for Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad. Many were left in legal and employment difficulties, including visa violations, as they could not obtain the necessary verification from the NMCN.
The council had previously issued a circular on February 7 outlining new guidelines for certificate verification, which included requirements such as a minimum of two years post-qualification experience and a letter of good standing from employers and training institutions. This circular led to widespread protests and legal challenges from various state councils and chapters of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The controversy surrounding the verification guidelines prompted several state councils, including those in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kaduna, Yenagoa, Ondo, and Plateau, to petition the NMCN. Some nurses and midwives also protested the new guidelines and took legal action, although the court case was later withdrawn.
On February 27, the House of Representatives intervened, urging the council not to implement the revised verification guidelines. Critics argue that the guidelines were an attempt to restrict career opportunities for Nigerian health professionals abroad and might be linked to the Federal Government’s broader strategy to curb the emigration of health workers.
In light of the portal’s reopening, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has renewed its appeal to the Federal Government to address several pressing issues. National President Michael Nnachi highlighted key demands, including the re-opening of the verification portal, payment of salaries for NMCN staff, constitution of the board, and a review of nurses’ professional allowances.
The reopening of the verification portal by the NMCN marks a crucial step in addressing the concerns of Nigerian nurses and midwives who have faced significant challenges due to the earlier suspension. As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the NMCN will handle ongoing issues and fulfill its commitments to the nursing profession.
