In a significant development, Nigerian nurses have taken the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and its Registrar to court regarding a controversial circular. The circular, issued by Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, on February 7, 2024, mandates verification of nurses’ certificates for foreign nursing boards or councils.
The circular stipulates stringent requirements, including a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience and obtaining a permanent practicing license. It also demands letters of Good Standing from employers and nursing training institutions, emphasizing that such letters must be sent directly to the Registrar/CEO of NMCN.
Expressing discontent with these directives, nurses, represented by the Incorporated Trustees of University Graduates of Nursing Science Association, have filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Enugu (Suit No FHC/E/CS/22/2024). The plaintiffs’ counsel, Barr Chijioke Ezeh, argues that the Registrar has exceeded his authority by issuing arbitrary and unlawful directives that contravene existing laws.
The nurses seek a declaration that the circular is null and void, asserting that the Registrar lacks the right to issue such directives. They demand the reopening of the registration portal, withdrawal of the contentious guidelines, and an injunction against the Registrar from issuing further contradictory directives.
Furthermore, the nurses are pursuing damages of five million Naira for the distress caused by the situation. The case awaits a hearing date, as Ezeh highlights concerns over the Registrar’s actions, labeling them as acts of impunity and a threat to the nursing profession’s autonomy.
The lawsuit underscores the tension between regulatory bodies and healthcare professionals, with nurses pushing back against perceived attempts to undermine their autonomy and professional integrity. This legal battle mirrors broader debates about professional standards, regulatory overreach, and the rights of healthcare workers in Nigeria.
