Not Good Enough?: Systemic Discrimination Against ODL Nursing Graduates in Nigeria
Maiduguri, Nigeria – 13 April 2026
A registered nurse who upgraded his qualifications through a fully accredited Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme has filed a formal complaint after being denied admission to a Master of Science (MSc) in Nursing at the University of Maiduguri. The denial was based solely on the mode of study for his Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree.
The case has triggered intense debate in Nigeria’s nursing community, highlighting what many describe as systemic discrimination against ODL graduates. This comes despite the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) accrediting these programmes specifically to expand access to degree-level education for practising professionals.
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Hammayaji Shadrach Taddawus earned his B.NSc in 2023 through the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) ODL programme. He applied for the MSc Nursing programme (Medical-Surgical specialty with a focus on Anaesthesia) under application number 2025-MSC-NUR-00006.
In a detailed formal letter to LAUTECH management, Mr Taddawus explained that he met every published admission requirement, sat the entrance examination, and fulfilled all academic criteria. He was later informed through unofficial “privileged information from an insider” that ODL-acquired degrees were ineligible.
This condition was never mentioned in the official admission advertisement, guidelines, or on the day of the entrance exam. Instead, the university reportedly requires ODL graduates to complete a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Sciences to “bridge” their qualification and make it “more academic”.
Mr Taddawus drew attention to what he sees as a clear inconsistency: the University of Maiduguri accepts its own ODL Nursing graduates for postgraduate studies while rejecting those from other NMCN-accredited institutions such as LAUTECH.
“This incident has caused significant concern, discrimination and disappointment,” he wrote. “It limits my academic and professional advancement despite meeting the stated requirements.” He has urged LAUTECH to take the lead in ending what he describes as discrimination against its ODL alumni by other Nigerian universities.
The original promise of ODL programmes
When the NMCN began accrediting ODL pathways for B.NSc upgrades, the explicit goal was to offer a flexible route for thousands of already-licensed diploma-holding nurses (RN/RM) who could not leave their jobs for full-time study. The programmes were presented as a practical solution that would deliver better career progression, higher pay, and access to leadership roles.
In Nigeria’s civil service, diploma-level nurses remain capped in their progression. Without a first degree in Nursing, they cannot advance to directorate level (Grade Level 17). Many embraced the ODL route in good faith, investing millions of naira , often more than the cost of a traditional full-time B.NSc in the hope of unlocking these opportunities.
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The programmes themselves are a hybrid model: a blend of online learning and mandatory physical attendance for lectures, practical sessions, and examinations. Students frequently travel long distances to university centres, balancing this with full-time clinical shifts in hospitals and clinics. Despite the rigors of this process, it’s unfair to note that some institutions will not accept the degree for academic progressions.
Viral outcry on X
The complaint surfaced on the same day that a widely shared post by nurse advocate @KpoabariRN went viral on X. It directly challenged the policy logic:
“If you won’t allow them do their PG in traditional Nursing Universities… why are you pushing people to take the ODL route?”
The post, which tagged the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the NMCN, has drawn thousands of views and replies from frustrated nurses nationwide.
Opposing voices: classism, policy shortsightedness and real-world outcomes
Not every nurse sees the issue as purely institutional. Several contributors have pointed to deeper cultural and regulatory problems within the profession.
One LAUTECH ODL graduate wrote:
“Sometimes, when we complain about the profession, I just smile because, to be fair, there’s nothing really wrong with nursing as a profession. The problem is with us as people and individuals. Our mindsets especially. One major issue is classism. The doctor feels he’s better than the nurse. Even among the nurses, the degree holders think he’s better than the diploma nurses. And even amongst the degree holders, Bnsc feels they’re better than the ODL graduates. It’s disappointing.”
The same nurse successfully secured a Master’s in Healthcare Leadership in the UK, where his ODL qualification was never questioned. Many of his colleagues have had similar experiences in the USA, Canada and other countries. Within Nigeria, he noted that Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) and certain other institutions do accept ODL graduates for Master’s programmes; several of his peers who stayed in the country completed their MSc at ABUAD.
Another nurse shared:
“With my RN and REAN, I got admission to University of Huddersfield for my MSc. I later went for BNSc just to fulfill all righteousness. I know a lot of our people doing their MSc presently with RN/RM. My certificate and transcript was evaluated and found to be at par with a Level BSc before I was offered admission.”
Another criticised the pattern of reactive policymaking:
“We only create short time solution without thinking about the long term impact of it. Same thing they did with community nursing and community midwifery… They lack foresight.”
Why this matters for Nigeria’s nursing workforce
The controversy reveals a fundamental policy tension. The NMCN promoted ODL programmes to strengthen the nursing workforce by enabling working professionals to upgrade without career interruption. Yet some traditional universities are now imposing unannounced barriers or extra bridging requirements for postgraduate entry.
Health workforce experts note that such inconsistencies risk discouraging further education, reducing specialisation, and weakening an already overstretched system. With Nigeria facing chronic nurse shortages, clear national guidelines on the full recognition of accredited ODL qualifications are urgently needed.
As of Monday evening, neither the University of Maiduguri nor the NMCN had issued a statement on Mr Taddawus’s case. The story continues to gain momentum online, with growing calls for regulatory intervention.
This is the first publicly documented formal complaint of its kind, and it may yet prompt a broader policy review to restore trust and fairness for the thousands of Nigerian nurses who invested heavily in ODL upgrades in good faith.
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Have you experienced similar challenges or struggling to secure admissions just because you had your degree from ODL? Reach out to us, we’ll like to hear your story
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