NMCN Reopens Certificate Verification Portal Amid NANNM's 15-Day Government Ultimatum

The Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMCN) has officially reopened its certificate verification portal, nearly a year after it was deactivated in December 2023. The portal went live again on Saturday, signaling a major step toward addressing the concerns of the nursing community.

The reopening comes in response to longstanding demands from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), which called for the immediate reactivation of the Nurses' Verification Portal, the establishment of a Department of Nursing, and an improvement in the Nurses' Salary Structure.

According to sources, several meetings took place prior to the portal’s reopening, involving key stakeholders such as the Minister of Health, the NMCN, and NANNM. These discussions were aimed at resolving the issues and ensuring that nurses and midwives could once again verify their credentials through the Council’s platform.

The National Assembly had also intervened in the matter. Twice, the House Committee on Health Institutions requested the NMCN to reopen its portal to facilitate the verification process under the previous rules, allowing for ongoing investigations into the situation.

While the NMCN has yet to issue an official statement on the reopening, the move is seen as a significant development, especially in light of the Nigerian government’s recent ultimatum. The government was given a 15-day deadline by NANNM to address the association’s demands or face potential industrial action.

That deadline is set to expire on Monday, September 16, 2024, adding urgency to the situation.

NANNM has expressed hope that the government's response will prevent any disruption in healthcare services and ensure that the concerns of nurses and midwives are addressed promptly.