Nigerian Nurses In UK And US Forced Back Home

The abrupt shutdown of the verification portal by the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council has left Nigerian nurses and midwives employed overseas hopeless.

Healthcare professionals faced difficulties in renewing their licenses and fulfilling the regulatory standards established by international organizations once the portal was discontinued in February 2024.

Some nurses are already facing legal ramifications for breaking employment rules and visa requirements without the required confirmation from the NMCN.

Because of the problem, some nurses who were working abroad—including those in the US and the UK—were compelled to return to Nigeria.

Speaking with Punch, a nurse described how, having moved from Nigeria in September 2023, he was overjoyed to join the UK Trust, a prestigious healthcare organization, and provide his expertise to the nation’s medical community.

Nevertheless, when the council turned off the verification gateway, his hopes were dashed.

He said that after passing a battery of tests and navigating the intricate process of document checks, obtaining his registered nurse pin from the verification portal was the only thing left to do.

He claimed he contacted the NMCN in a desperate attempt to find a solution. On the closed portal, nevertheless, the council’s policy prohibited any more verification.

He was fired by the UK Trust because he didn’t match the certification requirements, according to the organization’s standards.

He said, “The situation is not only saddening but also suicidal. My career is stagnated because the portal is closed. I’m in Nigeria now. I have gone to the nursing council on several occasions to tell them that even if they should write a letter of good standing and send it to them, they would be happy to acknowledge it. But my efforts were futile.

“Meanwhile, the court case against the council regarding the verification process has been withdrawn, but the portal remains closed. This is a matter that has affected even many people who refused to speak up at that time. In the next few weeks, the number of nurses who will return to this country to either commit suicide or start afresh will be many.”

Fearing that she wouldn’t be allowed to become a registered nurse until her verification was completed, a distressed Nigerian nurse working in the UK went by the name Ovie and expressed her concerns, regretting that this uncertainty has affected her future.

“I am a registered nurse from Nigeria, and I moved to the UK in February this year to pursue a nursing top-up programme to become a UK-registered nurse. My initial plan was to complete my verification process while studying so that I could work as a part-time nurse to pay tuition fees and support myself.

“Unfortunately, just before I arrived, the NMCN suspended the verification for nurses, which has prevented me from pursuing my registration.

“What initially seemed like a temporary maintenance issue has turned into months of uncertainty, with no clear timeline for when the verification process will resume. This has made it challenging to navigate my studies, future career plans, and overall stay in the UK.

“The ongoing suspension of the verification process has significant implications for me. Without completing my verification, I am unable to become a registered nurse in the UK, which limits my employment opportunities and affects my ability to support myself financially. This has created uncertainty about my future as I approach the end of my studies,” she explained.

The nurse bemoaned the fact that the delay in her verification put her at risk of deportation.

She said, “My student visa will expire soon, and without the ability to work as a nurse, I am at risk of having to return to Nigeria or seek alternative means to remain in the UK.”

Another nurse claimed that although her passion for nursing brought her to the UK, her journey did not go as easily as she had thought.

She spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of intimidation.

The same obstacle faces her as well: the verification portal’s closing. She was left in limbo since the shutdown prevented her from scheduling her CBT.

“I travelled to the UK last year (not as a registered nurse) and passed my English test this January. I have not been able to write a Computer-Based Test to proceed to other things due to the closure of the verification portal,” she said.

Hannah, a Saudi Arabian nurse, stated that although she had arrived to the nation in 2023 to begin her nursing career, her future was now unclear.

She admitted to the newspaper that she was feeling the strain of the circumstance.

Michael Nnachi, the president of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, revealed to Punch that his organization had been in contact with the government on a number of demands, one of which was for the portal to be reopened.

He mentioned that a committee was just established to examine current deliberations.

He said, “If we don’t receive a positive response soon, I can’t predict what will happen next. I believe the message we are sending is that we have engaged the government. I can’t give an exact date, whether tomorrow or the day after, but I know there is hope. I prefer not to speak beyond what I am authorised to say.

“I would advise our affected members to remain patient. We are deeply concerned about the difficulties they are facing, and we are not comfortable with the situation. However, patience is necessary at this time. Finally, in many cases, even when agreements are reached with the government, they often fail to fulfil their promises. I remain hopeful and expect a positive response from the government. There is hope.”

A second person who voiced dissatisfaction with the delay in activating the verification portal was Abubakar Shehu, the association’s deputy national president.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli