Reps halt implementation of controversial guidelines for verification of nurses, midwives

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Tuesday halted the implementation of controversial revised guidelines for verification of certificates of nursing and midwifery issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importancesponsored by Hon. Patrick Umoh, who frowned at the circumstances surrounding the revised regulations.
In his lead debate, Hon. Umoh observed the enactment of the Nursing and Midwifery (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. N143, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, by the National Assembly for the regulation and control of the nursing and midwifery profession in Nigeria.
“The House also notes the Revised Guidelines for Verification of Certificate(s) dated February 7, 2024, issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which will come into force on March 1, 2024.
“The House further notes that the Revised Guidelines, among others, stipulate that applicants for verification must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of a permanent practice licence; obtain a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s place of work and the last training institution attended; and that the processing of the application shall take a minimum of six months.
“The House is aware of the concerns, protests, and stiff opposition to the implementation of the revised guidelines by health professionals led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
“The House is also aware that verification of certificates is to confirm and authenticate an already existing certificate issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council; therefore, the requirement for two years of post-qualification experience before verification of a certificate is unreasonable, arbitrary, and unfair, as it may, among other things, restrict the freedom of nurses seeking education or additional skills and training in foreign universities.
“The House is further aware that the National Assembly is the body empowered by the Constitution to make laws for the country, and the requirement of two years post-qualification experience by the Nursing and Midwifery Council is to legislate through the back door, and therefore a usurpation of the powers of the National Assembly.
“The House is worried that the requirement that applicants for verification must obtain a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s place of work is capable of creating forced labour and modern slavery as the applicant will be forced to be subject to the whims and caprices of the applicant’s employer.”