A group of nurses have initiated legal proceedings against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the health minister regarding recent changes in certification verification protocols.

The dispute arises from a circular issued by the NMCN on February 7, altering the process for verifying certificates for nurses and midwives aspiring to work abroad. According to the revised guidelines, candidates must possess two years of post-qualification experience before seeking verification from foreign nursing boards.

This adjustment effectively mandates nurses to gain a minimum of two years’ experience domestically before pursuing opportunities overseas, a requirement that has sparked discontent among nursing professionals.

In response to the revised guidelines, nurses in Abuja and Lagos have staged protests calling for their reversal. Additionally, a group of nurses has filed a lawsuit in the National Industrial Court, Abuja, naming several defendants, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council Nigeria registrar, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Federal Ministry of Health.

During a recent court session, counsel for the complainants requested an adjournment to review preliminary objections filed by the defendants. The judge granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for May 20.

The complainants seek to halt the implementation of the NMCN circular until the court resolves the matter, emphasizing the potential impact on their ability to pursue opportunities abroad.