Nigerian nurses, already burdened by overwork and poor remuneration, are now facing a new and alarming challenge—being held professionally hostage by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The council has indefinitely suspended the verification of licenses, a mandatory process required for nurses seeking to migrate abroad for better opportunities. This move has sparked outrage across social media, with many calling on the NMCN to lift this restriction and allow nurses to pursue better working conditions outside Nigeria.

The controversy erupted after a UK-based doctor, who goes by the Twitter handle @OurFavOnlineDoc, took to social media on Monday, August 19, 2024, to raise awareness about this issue. The doctor’s tweet has since gone viral, becoming a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter). Japa Media News Reporters are tracking the reactions and investigating the broader impact this suspension is having on Nigerian nurses.

The Doctor’s Viral post (tweet) on X 

“I want to raise an alarm about a horrible injustice being carried out against Nigerian nurses,” @OurFavOnlineDoc began in his now-viral tweet. “The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is refusing indefinitely to verify licenses for any nurse who plans to travel abroad. This is a form of professional imprisonment and hostage.”

The tweet highlighted the harsh reality Nigerian nurses face: without the NMCN’s license verification, nurses are essentially blocked from relocating abroad for work. This restriction not only affects those still in Nigeria but also those abroad who wish to move to other countries for better opportunities.

“This is absolute madness,” the doctor tweeted. “When you force nurses to work against their wishes, what kind of care do you think patients will get? We need to pay them better, make work more fulfilling, and build a country they are happy to live in—not hold them hostage.”

The Impact of the License Verification Ban

The consequences of this suspension are severe. According to various reports obtained by Japa Media News, nursing boards in countries such as the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the UK have stopped accepting nursing certificates from Nigerian nurses due to their inability to verify the authenticity of these documents. For instance, the Texas Board of Nursing has halted applications from Nigerian nurses due to missing or expired verifications from the NMCN. Similar reports have come in from Saudi Arabia, Canada, and other nations, leaving Nigerian nurses in limbo.

Social Media Reactions

Nigerians from across the globe are voicing their concerns, with many calling the suspension “unfair” and “heartbreaking.” One Twitter user, @StarBede, expressed frustration, saying, “This is so unfair. Once they succeed with the nurses, they will move to others. We all need to speak up and fight this injustice.”

Another Twitter user, @DOluwajuyitan, pointed out, “The simple solution is to create better working conditions for nurses. When Nigerians ‘japa’ [relocate], we reduce the pressure on the government to change. But restricting their movement is not the answer.”

Japa Media Reports show that while many sympathize with the government’s desire to retain healthcare professionals, there is widespread agreement that holding them back by blocking license verification is both unethical and counterproductive.

Calls for Government Action

The outcry has led to mounting pressure on the Nigerian government and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to address the situation. Japa Media News Reporters have learned that the Nigerian National Assembly recently intervened, urging the NMCN to resume its verification services based on its former guidelines, pending further investigation.

The suspension was initially put in place following a directive from the House of Representatives in February 2024. However, this directive was misunderstood, according to a statement released by the National Assembly. The House did not instruct the NMCN to halt all verification services, only to pause the implementation of revised guidelines.

Despite this clarification, the NMCN has yet to resume verification services, and as a result, thousands of Nigerian nurses remain trapped in the country, unable to pursue better opportunities abroad.

Other Well-Meaning Nigerians Appeals for Action

According to report, well-meaning Nigerians are joining the call for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to immediately lift the suspension on license verifications. This restriction is not only stifling the professional development of Nigerian nurses but also putting additional strain on the healthcare system by forcing nurses to work under unfavorable conditions.

According to them, they understand the government’s desire to retain nurses, but this is not the way to do it. Instead of restricting their movement, the focus should be on improving working conditions, increasing pay, and creating a healthcare system that nurses want to stay in. The longer this suspension continues, the more Nigerian nurses and, ultimately, Nigerian patients, will suffer. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, and they deserve better.

The Way Forward

As the debate rages on, it is clear that urgent action is needed. Japa Media News Reporters will continue to follow this story and bring updates on any developments regarding the suspension of license verifications for Nigerian nurses.

For now, the hashtag #EndTheNursingLicenseVerificationSuspensionInNigeria is gaining traction on social media as more people lend their voices to the cause. The question remains: Will the government and the NMCN listen, or will Nigerian nurses continue to be held hostage by a system that refuses to let them go?

Japa Media News is committed to amplifying the voices of all involved and will not stop reporting on this issue until it is resolved. 

For more updates on this story, stay tuned to Japa Media News.