The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) remains steadfast in implementing its controversial verification policy, despite opposition from nurses who argue that it unfairly limits their options for emigration. The council asserts the need to prioritize the collective welfare of Nigerians amid a critical shortage in the country’s nursing workforce. Faruk Abubakar, NMCN registrar and CEO, expressed concern over the exodus of over 42,000 nurses from Nigeria in the past three years, emphasizing the challenges faced by training institutions in producing an average of 6,700 nurses annually in the last six years.
Abubakar, during a televised interview, emphasized the international standard of providing verifications and issuing letters of good standing, defending the policy to ensure the availability of skilled healthcare professionals within Nigeria. He acknowledged the significant financial investment in nursing education but highlighted the necessity of serving the healthcare needs of the Nigerian population.
Addressing the disparity in salaries, the report notes that nurses in Nigeria earn between N135,000 and N200,000, contrasting with higher salaries in countries like England, the United States, and Canada. The revised guidelines for certificate verification demand at least two years of work experience and an active practicing license for nurses seeking to work abroad, with the process extended to at least six months starting from March 1, 2024.
Nurses, however, are opposing the policy, calling for its abolition or revision to better align with their interests. Christiana Adeboboye, chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos chapter, criticized the policy as harsh and restrictive to career growth. She argued for addressing the root causes of mass nurse emigration, emphasizing the need for better pay and improved working conditions.
The article also mentions the federal government’s goal to produce 47,000 nurses in 2024, with a committee formed to address concerns raised by the nursing association regarding welfare. A meeting between the council and the nursing association is anticipated to resolve the existing differences.
