Nigerian nurses and midwives working in the UK and US are facing distress due to the sudden shutdown of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s (NMCN) verification portal in February. The portal’s closure has left them unable to renew their licenses and meet international regulatory requirements, resulting in legal challenges and forced returns to Nigeria.
One affected nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his experience: “The situation is not only saddening but also suicidal. My career is stagnated.” He had relocated to the UK in September 2023 and completed all necessary documentation, but the portal’s closure prevented him from receiving his registration pin, leading to his employment termination.
Another nurse, Ovie, in the UK, expressed similar concerns. She had moved to pursue a nursing top-up programme, but the portal’s closure prevented her from completing verification, leaving her uncertain about her future with a looming deportation threat.
Hannah, a nurse in Saudi Arabia, also faces an uncertain future, with the risk of deportation weighing heavily on her.
Michael Nnachi, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, acknowledged the issue and said the association has been in discussions with the government to resolve the matter. A committee was formed to review the situation, but Nnachi urged affected members to remain patient, expressing concerns that government agreements often fail to deliver.
Abubakar Shehu, Deputy National President of the association, criticized the government’s handling of the portal closure, noting that other healthcare professionals like doctors and pharmacists are not facing the same challenges. Despite assurances from the NMCN registrar that the portal would soon reopen, Shehu emphasized the negative impact on Nigerian nurses seeking opportunities abroad.
The ongoing uncertainty has severe implications for Nigerian nurses abroad, who face legal, financial, and emotional challenges as they await the portal’s reopening.
