…inducts 325 foreign-trained nurses into Nigerian healthcare system

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, has inducted 325 foreign-trained nurses into the nation’s healthcare workforce, charging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct and compassion while helping to bridge Nigeria’s critical healthcare manpower gap, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking at the 16th induction ceremony in Abuja, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, said the newly inducted nurses had successfully completed the mandatory adaptation programme and passed the Council’s May 2026 General Nursing Professional Examination, thereby qualifying for registration as professional graduate nurses in Nigeria.

Describing the event as a significant milestone in the careers of the inductees, Alhassan said the ceremony formally admitted them into the register of nursing professionals in the country after taking the statutory oath of allegiance.

He explained that the oath binds every nurse to ethical conduct and a lifelong commitment to protecting the lives, dignity and well-being of patients.

According to him, “Today, we are inducting 325 foreign-trained nurses into the nursing profession in Nigeria. This ceremony marks your official entry into the register of nursing professionals by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

“The oath you are about to take signifies your commitment to ethical conduct and abstinence from whatever is harmful to your patients and the public.”

The Registrar disclosed that after the induction, the nurses would proceed on a compulsory one-year internship in accredited Nigerian healthcare facilities before receiving full registration.

He noted that the internship would further strengthen their professional competence and enable them to integrate effectively into Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

Congratulating the inductees for successfully navigating the Council’s rigorous eligibility procedures, Alhassan praised their resilience, determination and commitment to excellence.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices of their families, saying their unwavering financial, emotional and moral support contributed immensely to the success of the newly inducted professionals.

The Registrar reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining international standards in nursing education and practice through a robust licensing and adaptation process for foreign-trained professionals.

He stressed that every foreign-trained nurse must meet the Council’s requirements before being licensed to practise in Nigeria.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that every nurse licensed in Nigeria possesses the competence required to provide quality patient care, not only in Nigeria but anywhere in the world,” he said.

Alhassan revealed that the 325 nurses graduated from 12 institutions across several countries before undergoing adaptation programmes in 13 Nigerian universities and colleges of nursing.

A breakdown presented at the ceremony showed that Cameroon accounted for the highest number with 105 inductees, followed by Niger Republic with 78, Ghana with 57, Cyprus with 36, India with 14, Sudan with 11, Liberia with seven, Turkey and Uganda with five each, Georgia with four, Morocco with two and Egypt with one.

The adaptation programmes were conducted in institutions including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan; University of Port Harcourt; Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Federal University, Gombe; University of Ilorin; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, among others.

The NMCN boss urged the new nurses to distinguish themselves through compassion, integrity and unwavering dedication to duty.

He advised them to always place patients’ welfare above every other consideration, comply strictly with the nursing code of ethics and maintain professionalism, including responsible use of social media.

Alhassan also encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning by pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees as well as other specialised nursing qualifications to strengthen the profession.

“Your skills and dedication are highly required, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Continue to improve yourselves professionally and remember that self-care is equally important if you are to care effectively for others,” he said.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Heads of Nursing Departments in Nigerian universities, the Head of the Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Adesola Ogunfowokan, congratulated the inductees on successfully completing what she described as a demanding academic and professional journey.

She reminded them that becoming a nurse required enormous sacrifices of time, finances and personal commitment, adding that the profession remained one of the most trusted globally.

“You have officially joined one of the most respected professions in the world. Today marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of compassion, leadership and continuous learning,” she said.

Ogunfowokan urged the nurses to protect the trust reposed in them by patients and society by providing safe, evidence-based and ethical healthcare at all times.

She stressed that the licences issued to them symbolised public confidence in their competence and integrity and warned against any conduct capable of undermining the profession.

“The licence you are receiving today represents accountability and your solemn covenant with society. Do not betray the trust placed in you,” she said.

The professor encouraged the newly inducted nurses to pursue specialised training, participate actively in professional associations and attend local and international conferences to remain globally competitive.

She cautioned against unnecessary rivalry with other healthcare professionals, reminding them to understand and respect the boundaries of nursing practice.

“You are a nurse, not a doctor or pharmacist. Know your professional limits and work collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team,” she advised.

Ogunfowokan also warned against falsifying medical records, stressing that honesty in documentation remained a core ethical obligation for every nurse.

She further emphasised the importance of protecting patients’ confidentiality, respecting cultural diversity and maintaining professional integrity throughout their careers.

Expressing concern over stress and burnout among healthcare workers, she urged the nurses to prioritise their own physical and mental well-being.

“The nursing profession can be physically, emotionally and mentally demanding. Develop healthy coping strategies, seek support when overwhelmed and maintain a healthy work-life balance,” she said.

While acknowledging that many Nigerian nurses seek opportunities abroad, Ogunfowokan appealed to the inductees to remember their homeland and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Nigeria is your home. Even if you travel abroad, come back and give back to your country through nursing education, research, leadership and quality healthcare delivery,” she appealed.

She equally called on governments and other stakeholders to improve nurses’ welfare through better remuneration, improved working conditions, expanded career development opportunities and a more supportive practice environment.

According to her, enhanced welfare would significantly reduce the migration of highly skilled Nigerian nurses to foreign countries.

The don also commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for maintaining strict licensing standards for foreign-trained nurses, describing the adaptation programme as critical to preserving excellence in nursing education and practice.

The induction ceremony culminated in the administration of the professional oath by the Registrar, officially ushering the 325 foreign-trained nurses into Nigeria’s nursing profession as they begin the next phase of their careers in service to humanity.