The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has announced that nurses and midwives must have a two-year post-graduation work experience from the day they are issued permanent practicing licenses before their certificates can be verified by foreign nursing boards/councils.
This revelation was made on a circular titled, Revised guidelines for the verification of certificate(s) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for practice abroad.
Although the body said the aim is to streamline the process and enhance the standards of nursing education and practice in alignment with global best practices, it is thought to be aimed at curbing the number of Nigerian health workers seeking green pastures in foreign countries.
The council disclosed that nurses who apply with provisional licenses will outrightly be rejected. It also disclosed that all applicants who seek to relocate must have an active practicing license with a minimum of six months to the expiration date.
The verification application process is expected to take a minimum of six months as against the 2 weeks it initially took.
The revised guidelines will be effective from March 1, 2024.
