Nigerian nurses and midwives working abroad are struggling due to the sudden closure of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The portal was deactivated in February 2024, creating obstacles for healthcare workers trying to renew their licenses and meet international regulatory requirements. Some nurses without proper verification are now facing visa and employment issues, leading to legal problems.
Many nurses, including those in the United Kingdom and the United States, have been forced to return to Nigeria because of this issue.
One nurse, who moved to the UK in September 2023, shared his frustration. He was excited to join a prestigious UK healthcare organization but found his hopes dashed when the NMCN deactivated the verification portal. He had completed exams and document checks but could not get his pin from the portal. Despite reaching out to the NMCN, he could not get assistance due to the portal’s closure. As a result, the UK Trust terminated his employment for failing to meet certification requirements.
He told Punch: “The situation is not only saddening but also suicidal. My career is stagnated because the portal is closed. I’m in Nigeria now. I have gone to the nursing council on several occasions to tell them that even if they should write a letter of good standing and send it to them, they would be happy to acknowledge it. But my efforts were futile.
“Meanwhile, the court case against the council regarding the verification process has been withdrawn, but the portal remains closed. This is a matter that has affected even many people who refused to speak up at that time. In the next few weeks, the number of nurses who will return to this country to either commit suicide or start afresh will be many.”
Another Nigerian nurse in the UK, Ovie, expressed concern about her future. She moved to the UK in February to complete a nursing top-up program and become a UK-registered nurse. However, the suspension of the verification process has created uncertainty about her career and studies. She is worried about deportation as her student visa nears expiration and she cannot work without completing her registration.
She said: “I am a registered nurse from Nigeria, and I moved to the UK in February this year to pursue a nursing top-up programme to become a UK-registered nurse. My initial plan was to complete my verification process while studying so that I could work as a part-time nurse to pay tuition fees and support myself.
“Unfortunately, just before I arrived, the NMCN suspended the verification for nurses, which has prevented me from pursuing my registration.
“What initially seemed like a temporary maintenance issue has turned into months of uncertainty, with no clear timeline for when the verification process will resume. This has made it challenging to navigate my studies, future career plans, and overall stay in the UK.
“The ongoing suspension of the verification process has significant implications for me. Without completing my verification, I am unable to become a registered nurse in the UK, which limits my employment opportunities and affects my ability to support myself financially. This has created uncertainty about my future as I approach the end of my studies.
“My student visa will expire soon, and without the ability to work as a nurse, I am at risk of having to return to Nigeria or seek alternative means to remain in the UK.”
Another nurse, who also spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of intimidation, said her passion for nursing led her to the UK, but the journey did not proceed as smoothly as she hoped. She is also faced with the same hurdle—the closure of the verification portal.
The closure meant she could not schedule her CBT, and without it, she was stuck in limbo.
“I travelled to the UK last year (not as a registered nurse) and passed my English test this January. I have not been able to write a Computer-Based Test to proceed to other things due to the closure of the verification portal,” she said.
A nurse in Saudi Arabia, identified as Hannah, also faces uncertainty due to the verification portal’s closure. The situation is taking a toll on her.
Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, said the group has been in discussions with the government about reopening the portal. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by members and urged patience. He expressed hope that a positive resolution would come soon, though he could not provide a specific timeline.
He told Punch: He said, “If we don’t receive a positive response soon, I can’t predict what will happen next. I believe the message we are sending is that we have engaged the government. I can’t give an exact date, whether tomorrow or the day after, but I know there is hope. I prefer not to speak beyond what I am authorised to say.
“I would advise our affected members to remain patient. We are deeply concerned about the difficulties they are facing, and we are not comfortable with the situation. However, patience is necessary at this time. Finally, in many cases, even when agreements are reached with the government, they often fail to fulfil their promises. I remain hopeful and expect a positive response from the government. There is hope.”
The Deputy National President of the association, Abubakar Shehu, also expressed displeasure over the delay in activating the verification portal.
