Abuja, Nigeria – The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of the United Kingdom has indicted 1,238 Nigerian nurses and midwives in connection with an exam fraud scandal linked to the Yunnik test centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Additionally, 717 Nigerian nurses are under investigation for their involvement in the scheme.
Wide-Reaching Impact
A total of 1,955 Nigerian healthcare professionals were affected, having taken their Computer-Based Test (CBT) at the Yunnik test centre. The NMC launched its investigation after detecting unusual data patterns from the centre, suggesting that many test-takers completed their CBT in implausibly short times.
The CBT is a crucial component of the test of competence that foreign nurses must pass as part of their NMC registration process.
Breakdown of Affected Professionals
The NMC categorized those implicated into four groups:
- Registered professionals with likely fraudulent results – 48 individuals.
- Applicants with likely fraudulent results – 669 individuals.
- Registered professionals with invalidated CBT results but no proven fraud – 467 individuals.
- Applicants with invalidated CBT results but insufficient evidence of fraud – 771 individuals.
Council’s Regulatory Response
The NMC emphasized that affected individuals could retake their CBT at no cost, with exam fees covered by test provider Pearson VUE. Those in groups three and four could proceed with their registration upon obtaining a valid CBT.
However, registrants in groups one and two faced stricter scrutiny. Those in group one were referred to an independent panel under the NMC’s ‘fraudulent entry’ process, while applicants in group two had their applications reviewed by an Assistant Registrar, considering concerns over health and character requirements.
UK Home Office Actions
The UK Home Office has already revoked visas for some of the affected Nigerian nurses, compelling them to leave the country while awaiting the outcome of their appeals. According to Nursing Times, 202 complete applications linked to the exam fraud concerns have been reviewed by the Assistant Registrar:
- 183 were rejected for failing to meet character requirements.
- 9 applications were approved.
- 9 appeals were concluded, with 3 allowed and 6 dismissed.
- 12 registrants faced independent hearings; 10 were removed from the register, while 2 were cleared.
Support for Affected Nurses
The NMC assured that it is working to resolve cases efficiently while supporting those affected. Measures include:
- Collaborating with employers to provide care and clarity.
- Partnering with the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK for guidance.
- Extending access to Careline, a 24/7 emotional and practical support service.
- Engaging safeguarding professionals to address welfare concerns.
Mass Exodus of Nigerian Health Workers
The scandal comes amid a significant wave of emigration among Nigerian health professionals. According to the former Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar, over 15,000 Nigerian nurses and midwives left the country in 2023 alone. Between 2017 and 2022, more than 57,000 nurses migrated abroad, a figure that has continued to rise.
As of August 2024, the NMC UK reported that 13,656 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives were actively practising in the UK.
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