Certificate verification: Over 42,000 nurses left Nigeria in 3 years ? Nursing Council Registrar

The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar, has said that over 42,000 nurses left the country in the past three years.

Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, on the controversy surrounding the new certificate verification guidelines released by the council.  

Recall that the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) had kicked against the new guidelines which require Nigerian nurses and midwives seeking verification of certificate(s) to foreign nursing boards or councils to have two years post-qualification experience. 

“Let me make it clear today, in the last three years over 42,000 nurses left this country and the country needs them,” Abubakar said. 

“Government policies especially the present Renew Hope Agenda, a lot of policies are coming onboard, the Federal Ministry of Health came up with so many policies where Nigerian healthcare system will be improved.

“Now if we allow every Nigerian to leave as they are graduates, who are going to handle our healthcare services? Who is going to provide these services? We are Nigerians and it is our responsibility to these services.

“So we are not against anybody travelling but Nigerians must be served and must be provided with this quality healthcare since we are producing the quality and best nurses that are working anywhere in the world. Last year alone over 15,000 left, the number is increasing year by year,” he added.

However, Abubakar gave assurances that the Federal Ministry of Health was actively working to address the nurses’ concerns.

“I want to assure you the agency that is responsible for improving their welfare, the Federal Ministry of Health, is doing a lot to ensure the welfare they are talking about; better salary, better payment of allowances and better working environment,” he stated. 

“The minister of health is working hard to ensure a very conducive working environment with provisions of equipment and instruments that will help them to provide quality care for Nigerians.” 

“There is a lot of progress that is going on to review the salary and nurses are also included in that policy. I think it’s a general phenomenon, all other sectors are also complaining, and the government is doing a lot,” he stated.

He added that the council is not responsible for the remuneration of nurses in the country.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that nurses are regulated to better education and practice for Nigerians. Those who are responsible are doing their best to ensure that the welfare is attended to. 

“Additionally, the NANNM, which is the umbrella body (of nurses and midwives) is doing a lot. I know that there was a lot of discussion with the honourable Minister some weeks back, and all related to their welfare. The association that is responsible for that is doing its best to ensure that the welfare is improved drastically,” he added.