The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Faruk Abubakar, revealed on Tuesday that a staggering 42,000 nurses have left Nigeria over the past three years.
His comments were in response to the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) protest against the new certification verification guidelines issued by the Council.
According to a recent circular from the NMCN, candidates who want their certificates verified by international nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualifying experience in addition to paying a non-refundable application fee.
According to Faruk Abubakar, the move is in line with international best practices, emphasizing the need for retaining skilled nursing professionals within the country.
Abubakar expressed concern about the significant number of nurses leaving Nigeria and emphasized the responsibility of providing quality healthcare services to the Nigerian population.
He cited instances where nurses with fake documents were found abroad, highlighting the need for a rigorous verification process before nurses leave the country.
The Registrar affirmed the Council’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian nurses are adequately equipped and registered before working abroad, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the quality of healthcare services within the country.
