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Abuja Nurses Protest New Certification Guidelines
Nurses affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, took to the streets on Monday in a demonstration against the recent verification certification guidelines issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Expressing dissatisfaction with what they perceive as an infringement on their career opportunities, the nurses urged the council to address pressing concerns, including salary scales, staff shortages, and overall welfare.
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The protest unfolded at the NMCN’s office in Abuja. The controversy stems from the council’s circular released on February 7, 2024, amending the guidelines for certificate verification for nurses and midwives. This move followed The PUNCH’s report on the deactivation of the verification portal on the NMCN’s website since December 2023.
According to the circular signed by Dr. Faruk Abubakar, the Registrar of the Council, eligible applicants must possess a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, excluding those with provisional licenses. The revised guidelines also entail a non-refundable fee for verification applications, active practicing licenses with a minimum of six months to expiry, and a processing time of at least six months. The implementation of these guidelines is set to commence on March 1, 2024.
During the protest, nurses and midwives congregated at the NMCN office, singing and displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Address unemployment among nurses,” “Say no to verification rules,” and “Protect nurses, protect healthcare.” The demonstration aimed at drawing attention to the challenges faced by nurses and demanding a reconsideration of the new guidelines affecting their profession.
