Nurses sue nursing council, health minister over certificate verification guidelines

The dispute arises from a circular issued by the NMCN on February 7, 2024, which introduced new guidelines for certificate verification for nurses and midwives.

According to the revised guidelines, applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards must have two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of their permanent practising license. These guidelines took effect on March 1, 2024.

In response to the changes, nurses in Abuja and Lagos staged protests demanding the reversal of the new guidelines.

During the proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the complainants, Ode Evans, informed the court of receiving a preliminary objection from the first and second defendants moments before the session. He requested an adjournment to respond to the objection.

In response, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae adjourned the matter till May 20 for a hearing, directing that the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation be served with the hearing notice, as they were not represented in court.