#ReleaseOurCertificatesNow: Nigerian Nurses Escalate Pressure on NMCN Over Three-Year Certificate Backlog
May 25, 2026
Thousands of Nigerian nursing graduates have renewed calls for urgent intervention over prolonged delays in the release of professional registration certificates by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), as frustration within the profession continues to intensify nationwide.
The online campaign, driven by the hashtag #ReleaseOurCertificatesNow, surged again on Monday, with affected nurses flooding X and other social media platforms with demands for immediate action from the Council, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Presidency.
Many of the affected graduates completed their professional examinations and mandatory clinical postings as far back as November 2023 but say they remain without official registration certificates, documents required for employment, promotions, licence renewals, and international verification processes.
Across social media, nurses described the delay as a “career-threatening crisis,” warning that years of professional progress have been placed on hold.
“It’s a new week to remind NMCN to do the needful,” one post read, while another stated: “Injury to one is injury to all.”
A Backlog Stretching Across Multiple Cohorts
The certificate delay has become one of the most persistent administrative issues affecting Nigeria’s nursing workforce in recent years.
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Healthcare advocacy platforms, including Fellow Nurses Africa have repeatedly raised concerns about the growing backlog since 2025, documenting complaints from graduates across nursing schools, colleges, and universities nationwide.
Multiple reports indicate that the disruption began following the dissolution of the NMCN governing board in 2023, a development that reportedly affected administrative approvals and certificate processing within the Council.
The delays are now affecting graduates from different institutions and examination periods, creating widespread uncertainty across the profession.
Jobs, Promotions and International Opportunities Affected
For many affected nurses, the consequences extend beyond administrative inconvenience.
Registration certificates remain a core requirement for employment documentation, professional advancement, and international verification procedures used by foreign nursing regulators and recruitment agencies.
Several graduates say they have lost job opportunities, deferred relocation plans, or experienced stalled promotions due to the absence of official certification.
Others warn that temporary “Notification of Result” documents issued after examinations are nearing expiration, raising concerns about their ability to continue professional processes both within and outside Nigeria.
The situation comes at a time when global demand for Nigerian nurses continues to rise, particularly across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and parts of the Middle East.
Protest Threat Emerges
With online pressure mounting, groups of affected nurses are now discussing plans for peaceful nationwide protests expected to begin on June 1, 2026, should the backlog remain unresolved.
The protesters are demanding the immediate release of all outstanding certificates and a clear public timeline from the NMCN on the resolution process.
Despite the controversy, the Council has continued releasing results for newer professional examinations, including the May 2026 Nursing Professional Examinations, while unresolved certificate delays affecting earlier graduates persist.
As of Monday morning, no official statement addressing the renewed campaign had been issued by the NMCN or the Federal Ministry of Health.
The growing backlash is expected to place additional pressure on health authorities in the coming days as affected nurses continue mobilising online under the #ReleaseOurCertificatesNow campaign.
This is a developing story and we’ll continue to provide updates as they emerge.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
