“I’m Better Than Those Who Went to School” – Viral Post by Self-Proclaimed Nurse Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Quackery
Benin City, Edo State — A social media post claiming nursing certification after a non-accredited hospital-based training programme has ignited widespread condemnation from Nigeria’s nursing community and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against illegal training of healthcare workers.
The controversy centres on a post by an individual identified as Oziokor Rosemary, shared under the X handle @ErhahonJoy49395. The post announced the completion of a 2-year-and-3-month training programme at ISDA Hospital in Benin City and described the author as a “certified trained nurse”, with accompanying photographs appearing to show a graduation ceremony.
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In response to questions challenging the legitimacy of the qualification, the individual reportedly replied in Nigerian Pidgin:
“Even some way go the school I still better pass them, evidence dey”
(Translation: “Even some who went to school, I am still better than them, evidence is there.”)
The statement, widely interpreted as a claim of superiority over formally educated and licensed nurses, provoked strong backlash from registered nurses and healthcare professionals across X.
Several prominent voices in the nursing community publicly criticised the post. One nurse and clinical instructor, using the handle @SENADEKUNLEAA, directly named the individual and tagged the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Nigeria Police Force, warning that the hospital was allegedly training and employing unqualified personnel and posing a danger to patient safety.
Another widely shared comment described the episode as a “clear and present danger to public health” and accused private facilities of operating unauthorised training schemes for financial gain.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Under Nigerian law, only institutions accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) are authorised to train and qualify individuals as nurses or midwives. Hospitals and clinics are not permitted to independently award nursing titles or certify personnel as nurses.
The NMCN and various state governments have repeatedly warned that so-called “auxiliary nurse” training programmes conducted outside accredited schools constitute quackery. Recent enforcement actions in Edo State and other parts of the country have included sealing facilities found to be running such programmes or employing unqualified individuals.
The profession has long argued that the continued operation of unregulated training schemes undermines patient safety, devalues formal nursing education, and exposes vulnerable patients to avoidable harm.
Calls for Investigation
Nursing professionals and advocacy groups are now urging the NMCN to launch a formal investigation into the claims surrounding ISDA Hospital and any similar facilities in Edo State.
Health experts emphasise that members of the public should always verify a practitioner’s credentials through the NMCN register before receiving care. Only individuals listed on the Council’s register are legally entitled to practise as nurses in Nigeria.
The incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenge of quackery in Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight and public awareness.
Fellow Nurses Africa will continue to monitor developments and report on any official response from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria or relevant authorities.
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Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
