Several nurses in the country have taken legal action against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Minister of Health, among others, regarding new certificate verification guidelines. The NMCN issued a circular on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for certificate verification for nurses and midwives. Among the revisions, the council stipulated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards must have two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license.
However, nurses and midwives, represented by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, have expressed concern that the revised guidelines are aimed at hindering their opportunities to work abroad. They particularly oppose the requirement for nurses seeking NMCN certification to have a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience. Additionally, they object to the demand for a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of their workplace and the last training institution attended, with the processing of applications taking a minimum of six months.
In response, nurses in Abuja and Lagos staged protests demanding the reversal of the new guidelines. Subsequently, dissatisfied nurses, on behalf of their colleagues, filed a lawsuit against the Registrar of the NMCN, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Attorney General of the Federation before the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
The complainants, including Desmond Aigbe, Kelvin Ossai, Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro, Tamunoibi Berry, Osemwengie Osagie, Abiola Olaniyan, Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse, requested the court to restrain the defendants from implementing the NMCN circular until the suit is resolved. They also sought the suspension of the commencement of the new guidelines.
During the proceedings, the complaints’ counsel, Ode Evans, informed the court that he had received a preliminary objection from the first and second defendants. He requested an adjournment to reply to their applications. Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for May 20 and ordering the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation to be served with hearing notices since they were not represented in court.
