In a compelling demonstration of dissatisfaction, nurses affiliated with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, staged a protest on Monday against the new verification certification guidelines released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
The nurses gathered at the NMCN's office in Abuja, singing and brandishing placards that bore inscriptions such as "Address unemployment among nurses," "Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses," and "#No to verification rules."
The protest comes in response to the NMCN's circular issued on February 7, 2024, which revised the guidelines for certificate verification, leading to concerns about potential hindrances to career opportunities. Nurses are demanding that the council address issues such as nurses' welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights.
The NMCN's guidelines stipulate a non-refundable fee for verification applications, a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, and a six-month processing time.
As tensions escalate, nurses are urging government intervention to safeguard their professional pursuits and well-being
