NMCN Defends Acceptance of Islamic Arabic Certificate for Nursing Admission, Equates It with WAEC and NECO

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NMCN Registrar Replies Critics: Islamic Arabic Certificate Equivalent to WAEC and NECO for Nursing Admission

Fellow Nurses Africa 19th April 2025

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has reaffirmed its stance on the continued acceptance of the Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE) for admission into nursing programmes nationwide.

In a circular dated April 14, 2025, the Council clarified that the SAISSCE remains a federally recognized and valid secondary school qualification, just like the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) certificates.

Titled “Acceptance of Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination for Admission into Nursing Programmes”, the circular was addressed to key stakeholders in the health and education sectors, including state commissioners of health, directors of nursing services, vice-chancellors, teaching hospitals, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

Signed by the Acting Registrar and CEO of the NMCN, Ngadi Alhassan, the circular emphasized that the council would continue to honor the SAISSCE as a legitimate entry requirement into nursing schools across Nigeria.

“The Council reiterates that SAISSCE is a recognised and acceptable qualification for admission into nursing programmes, alongside other recognised secondary school certificates such as WAEC and NECO,” the circular stated.

This clarification follows public concerns and criticisms suggesting that accepting a religious-based certificate could undermine the professionalism and secular foundation of the nursing profession.

In a phone interview, Alhassan addressed these concerns, explaining that the SAISSCE includes core science and general education subjects required for nursing admission.

“The SSSCIA is an examination body approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria. They also run basic science courses like biology, physics, chemistry, English, mathematics that is accepted by the council,” he said.

He further stressed that the council’s acceptance of the SAISSCE was strictly based on academic merit in science-related subjects, not on religious content.

“We did not say we are taking that result because of Islamic or Arabic studies. We are taking anybody that sits for that examination and they have to pass English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology; that is our consideration, just like we consider for other examination bodies, nothing more,” Alhassan added.

He also clarified that the council’s decision is not a response to Nigeria’s ongoing shortage of nurses and midwives, but a reaffirmation of existing policy.

As debates continue, the NMCN maintains that its goal is to ensure equal academic recognition across all certified examination bodies approved by the federal government, provided the required subjects are met.

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