Nursing Graduates Decry Certificate Delay, Demand Urgent Action

Thousands of Nigerian nursing graduates are raising alarm over prolonged delays in receiving their professional certificates, leaving many unable to advance their careers or secure employment opportunities.

The affected individuals, who completed their training as far back as 2023, say the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has yet to release their credentials despite fulfilling all academic and licensing requirements. The council is responsible for accrediting institutions and issuing certificates needed for legal practice, making the delay a major setback for graduates.

Many of the graduates expressed frustration over the situation, noting that the absence of certification has blocked them from applying for jobs locally or seeking opportunities abroad. Some also complained that repeated inquiries and appeals have yielded little or no clear response from the authorities.

The backlog has been linked to administrative challenges and policy-related issues within the council, although no definitive timeline has been provided for when the certificates will be released. The situation has sparked growing discontent among young health professionals, with calls for urgent intervention to resolve the bottleneck.

Stakeholders warn that the continued delay could worsen the country’s healthcare workforce shortage, as many graduates remain idle while hospitals struggle with limited staff. There are increasing demands for reforms to ensure a more efficient certification process and prevent similar disruptions in the future.