UGONSA SPEAKS ON NMCN'S NEW LICENSE VERIFICATION GUIDELINES.
The Registrar,
Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN),
Plot 713, Cadastral Zone,
P.M.B. 5328,
Wuse, Abuja.
Sir,
URGENT APPEAL FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE NEW NURSING REGISTRATION VERIFICATION POLICY
The National Executive Council of the University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA) write on behalf of our members and numerous Nigerian nurses both within the country and in the diaspora, who have expressed profound concerns and dismay over the recent policy update regarding the nursing registration verification process introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This letter is a collective outcry against what is perceived as an unfair, retrogressive, and anti-progress policy that not only undermines the professional standing and welfare of Nigerian nurses but also significantly hampers their ability to seek and leverage international opportunities.
2. It is disheartening to note that the Nigerian system, through this new policy, seems to work against the welfare of its nurses. The global demand for nurses offers Nigerian nurses an unprecedented opportunity to elevate their careers, improve their living standards, and contribute significantly to the global healthcare system. By imposing policies that unduly restrict their mobility, NMCN is not only curtailing individual professional growth but also inadvertently contributing to the brain drain that deprives our healthcare system of skilled professionals as those who eventually exit the system with frustration will never think of returning to make it a brain gain for the system. Nurses are seeking international opportunities not out of sheer desire for emigration but as a response to being more valued and better-remunerated abroad. It is imperative that our systems support rather than hinder their aspirations.
3. The requirement for nurses to obtain a letter of good standing from their educational institutions introduces an unnecessary and cumbersome bottleneck. Many nurses have graduated over a decade ago from both foreign and local universities, and the logistical nightmare of reconnecting with foreign universities for needless documentation viz-a-viz letter recommendation is both impractical and may be viewed as insensitive by Nigerian nurses as many of their faculty members who knows them must have left the system. This requirement does not account for the realities of time and changes within educational institutions, placing an undue burden on our nurses.
4. Moreover, the policy's stipulation for a two-year delay in registration verification has far-reaching and personal implications for nurses, especially those who want to further their education outside the country and rely on working to support their educational goals abroad. This policy will automatically bar them from practicing nursing abroad and put them in financial difficulty and with potential drop out overseas. The implications of this policy also extend beyond professional boundaries, affecting the very fabric of the family structure in our nursing community. It is also capable of destroying the social fabric of Nigerian nurses, especially those whose families or spouses are abroad. Such delays not only disrupt professional progress but also have profound emotional and psychological impacts, as they impede family reunification and contribute to the disintegration of family units as they will be forced to stay in Nigeria to work for two years. In addition, it also amounts to forced labour, which occurs when individuals are compelled against their will to provide work or service through the use of force. Explicitly, the International Labour Organization’s Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) states that “forced or compulsory labour is all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.” This will no doubt be counterproductive to the renewed hope agenda of the current administration in Nigeria.
5. Furthermore, the directive to obtain a letter of good standing from chief executive officers, predominantly medical doctors, is a direct affront to the autonomy of the nursing profession. This requirement not only undermines the professional independence of nurses but also exposes them to potential exploitation and abuse. It is universally acknowledged that the professional body responsible for the registration of nurses has the rightful authority to issue any letter of good standing. This norm is recognized globally and should be upheld by the NMCN to protect the dignity, autonomy, and welfare of Nigerian nurses.
6. In light of the aforementioned concerns, we strongly urge the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to reconsider and withdraw the current registration verification policy. We request a policy revision that aligns with international best practices, respects the autonomy and dignity of the nursing profession, and facilitates rather than impedes the professional growth and mobility of Nigerian nurses, thereby avoiding unnecessary litigation from concerned nurses.
7. UGONSA encourages NMCN to convey high-powered meetings of elders with a significant representative from young nurses and the student body to allow them to accept and take ownership of any decision that comes from that dialogue.
8. As reality has dawned on policymakers on the value of nurses in Nigeria, UGONSA encourage the NMCN to use this opportunity to push for better deals for Nigerian nurses, especially recognition of our postgraduate certificates in clinical settings while unions push for pronounced appointment of nurse consultants, Nurses’ special salary structure, ward custodian allowance, retained allowance, and other deserved allowances.
9. The nursing community in Nigeria and abroad looks forward to an expedited resolution of this matter, ensuring that the policies enacted serve the best interests of nurses, the healthcare system, and the nation at large. We remain committed to constructive dialogue and collaboration with the NMCN to achieve a favourable outcome for all stakeholders.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We eagerly await your positive response and the initiation of steps towards the revision of this policy.
UGONSA.., MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE.
Signed by Nr. Opeyemi Ojo and Nr. Eteng, Philip. The National President and National Secretary,
