Only 9% Pass in Public Health, 83% in General Nursing as NMCN Releases November 2025 Exam Results – Raises Concerns

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has officially released the results of the November 2025 Professional Examination in General and Post Basic Nursing Programmes

According to the statement signed by Ndagi Alhassan, RN, FWAPCNM, Registrar/CEO of the Council, a total of 27,694 candidates sat for the examination, out of which 20,197 were successful, representing an overall pass rate of 73%.

The released report showed that candidates in the General Nursing Programme recorded the highest success rate, with 17,263 candidates passing, an 83% pass rate.

In contrast, the Public Health Nursing Programme saw only 179 candidates succeed out of those who sat for the exam, translating to a 9% pass rate, the lowest among all programmes.

Other results include:

• Foreign Trained Nursing (FTN): 206 candidates passed, representing 36%.

• Post Basic Nursing Programmes: 1,736 passed, representing 63%.

• Community Nursing Programme: 813 passed, representing 53%.

Heads of nursing training institutions have been directed to check their results online from Monday, November 17, 2025, after fulfilling all required conditions.

Successful candidates are required to complete their registration and licensing within 90 days of result release. Late registration will attract a ₦16,250 penalty per applicant, with an additional ₦6,562 annual penalty for defaulting in first licensing.

Upcoming Examination

The next Professional Examination in General/Post Basic Nursing has been scheduled to hold from Tuesday, May 5, to Friday, May 8, 2026. Institutions must also submit the Examination Application Checklist (EAC) for the May 2026 exams to exams@nmcn.gov.ng on or before January 30, 2026, as late submissions will not be accepted.

The sharp contrast between programmes particularly the low 9% success rate in Public Health Nursing has sparked concern among nursing educators and practitioners, raising questions about curriculum gaps, learning resources, and institutional readiness.

However, the Council extended its congratulations to all successful candidates, commending them for their perseverance and encouraging continued commitment to excellence in nursing education and practice.

While the overall 73% national pass rate shows improvement in general nursing education, the Council’s data underscores an urgent need to review and strengthen support systems in specialized nursing fields especially Public Health Nursing, where performance remains alarmingly low.