The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) Faruk Abubakar says 42,000 nurses have dumped Nigeria to take up jobs overseas – in the last three years. His comment follows the recent protests staged by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives protest against the new certification verification guidelines issued by the Council.
NMCN had issued a circular saying applicants seeking verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualification experience and also pay a non-refundable application fee.
Speaking about why the Council issued the guidelines, Farouk said the development was in line with international best practices, adding that so many nurses in the country had left in the past few years. He maintained if all nurses are allowed to leave as they graduate, there would be little or nobody left to handle healthcare services.
According to him, the Council had received several complaints about the relocation of nurses from the country and the recent move was geared toward ensuring due process by those who intend to relocate