Nurses stage protest in Ibadan over regulation mandating two years experience before relocation

By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan

Nurses in Oyo State have staged a protest over the newly implemented guidelines for certificate verification issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) on February 7th, 2024.

Taking to the streets in a peaceful protest on Thursday, nurses from various hospitals across the state voiced their strong opposition to the updated requirements, calling them “anti-people” and demanding their immediate reversal.

Their primary concern lies with the stipulation that applicants seeking verification for foreign nursing boards or councils must now possess at least two years of post-qualification experience from the date of receiving their permanent practicing license.

Additionally, applications with provisional licenses are automatically rejected under the new policy.

“This not only demeans the profession but also undermines the aspirations of new graduate nurses seeking professional development and opportunities,” declared Israel Fawole, spokesperson for the protesting nurses.

He emphasised that the revised guidelines pose “imminent dangers and infringement to the rights of nursing professionals” within Nigeria.

The group is urging the NMCN to make the verification process more accessible and affordable.

They also propose eliminating the need for a “good standing letter” and the two-year experience requirement, along with ensuring a swift 48-hour approval timeframe.

While acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to address their concerns through discussions with the NMCN and government agencies, the Oyo nurses expressed a lack of confidence in solely relying on dialogue.

They warned that they are prepared to escalate their actions to a nationwide strike if their demands remain unmet.