Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, on Monday, protested against the new verification certification guidelines released by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. 


The nurses expressed displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, asking the council to address nurses' welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights. 


The protest was carried out at the NMCN's office in Abuja. 


The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. 


The council's circular was released after the verification portal was deactivated on the NMCN's website since December 2023. 


The council also stated that applicants must have active practicing licences with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, and processing of verification applications would take a minimum of six months. 


It added that the implementation of the guidelines takes effect from March 1, 2024 


Meanwhile, on Monday, the nurses and midwives were at the NMCN office  singing and carrying placards around the premises peacefully. 


Some of the placards read, "Address unemployment among nurses, address quakery, address nurses welfare. 


"#No to verification rules. Stop frustrating the Nigerian nurses, we are going through a lot already, Protect nurses, protect healthcare,.NMCN, we say no to the verification rules,.NMCN, don't reduce nurses."