From NMCN Verification Delays to Real Progress? Tinubu’s Nursing Amendment Bill Lands in Senate
Abuja, 27 January 2026 –
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a package of 24 health sector amendment bills to the Nigerian Senate for legislative consideration, including a significant proposal to update the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) regulatory framework.
The move, announced on Tuesday, aligns with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution and follows a comprehensive review of existing health laws by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The bills aim to modernise governance in key health institutions and regulatory bodies, with a focus on reducing administrative inefficiencies, enhancing accountability, and improving service delivery across Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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At the centre of interest for the nursing profession is the Nursing and Midwifery (Registration etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the principal Act (Cap N143, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004). Long-standing challenges in the sector, particularly prolonged delays in certificate verification, student indexing, registration, and licensing have contributed to frustration among nurses, including those seeking international opportunities amid the global shortage of skilled professionals.
Key proposed changes in the NMCN amendment include:
- Introduction of strict timelines for critical processes, such as completing student indexing within 90 days and issuing registrations or licences within 30 days of application.
- Expansion of registrable qualifications to recognise modern credentials, including the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) for automatic Registered Nurse (RN) status, alongside Community Nursing and Community Midwifery programmes.
- Restructuring of the NMCN governing council to promote efficiency, with updated composition, qualifications, tenure limits, and rotational representation across geopolitical zones.
- Reforms to the Nurses and Midwives Tribunal (formerly the Disciplinary Tribunal) for more effective handling of professional conduct matters.
- Updated penalty provisions for offences, with increased fines to strengthen enforcement and deterrence.
These measures are seen as potentially transformative for the profession. Faster administrative processes could reduce bottlenecks that have historically delayed career progression, verification for overseas practice, and workforce mobility issues that have fuelled discussions around brain drain in recent years. By aligning regulation with contemporary education standards and introducing clearer timelines, the bill supports broader national efforts, including the recently launched National Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2025–2030), to strengthen training, retention, and deployment of nurses and midwives.
The transmission forms part of President Tinubu’s ongoing push for health sector reforms, covering other institutions such as Federal Medical Centres, specialty hospitals, NAFDAC, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. The Senate is expected to commence deliberations on the bills in due course, with potential concurrence from the House of Representatives before presidential assent.
Fellow Nurses Africa will closely monitor the legislative process to ensure the final version addresses core concerns around efficiency, equity, and professional development. We’ll keep you updated with more details from the new bill, stay glued!
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