NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA BANS ADMISSION OF LICENSED COMMUNITY NURSES, MIDWIVES INTO ODL NURSING PROGRAMME

NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA BANS ADMISSION OF LICENSED COMMUNITY NURSES, MIDWIVES INTO ODL NURSING PROGRAMME

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN) has issued a directive prohibiting the admission of Licensed Community Midwives (LCM) and Licensed Community Nurses (LCN) into the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Nursing Programme across all approved institutions in the country.

In a circular dated October 22, 2025, and signed by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, NDAGI Alhassan (RN, FWAPCM), the regulatory body expressed concern over reports that some institutions offering nursing programmes were admitting community midwives and nurses into the ODL scheme, describing the practice as “unacceptable” and capable of undermining the integrity and standards of nursing education in Nigeria.

“It has come to the attention of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, with credible evidence, that some institutions offering nursing programmes are admitting Licensed Community Midwives and Licensed Community Nurses into the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Nursing Programme. This practice is unacceptable and undermines the academic standards, professional integrity, and reputation of the programme,” the circular stated.

The Council clarified that the ODL Nursing Programme is strictly designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have been duly licensed by the Council and wish to obtain a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree through distance learning.

“The Registered Nurse (RN) qualification is the minimum requirement for eligibility into the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Nursing Programme,” the circular emphasized.

According to the Council, Licensed Community Midwives and Licensed Community Nurses do not meet the required academic and professional standards for entry into the programme and, as such, are not eligible for admission.

The N&MCN directed all universities and institutions approved for ODL Nursing programmes to:

Strictly adhere to Council regulations and admission guidelines;

Thoroughly verify all applicants’ credentials before granting admission; and

Submit the list and details of all admitted ODL students to the Council for verification.

The circular was addressed to key stakeholders in the health and education sectors, including state and federal health commissioners, vice chancellors of universities offering nursing programmes, directors of nursing services, chief medical directors, provosts and proprietors of nursing colleges, and coordinators of post-basic nursing programmes.

The Council appealed for strict compliance and cooperation from all concerned institutions and stakeholders in order to safeguard the quality and global reputation of nursing education and practice in Nigeria.

The Council relies on your strict compliance and continued support to uphold the integrity and quality of academic and professional standards of the Open and Distance Learning Nursing Programme,” the statement concluded.