In a shocking turn of events, the United Kingdom’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has initiated disciplinary actions against 1,238 Nigerian nurses over allegations of exam fraud linked to the Yunnik test centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Additionally, 717 others remain under investigation, bringing the total number of affected individuals to a staggering 1,955.
The controversy erupted after the NMC flagged irregularities in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), a critical requirement for foreign-trained nurses seeking registration in the UK. Investigators raised concerns over the unusually swift completion times of some candidates, fueling suspicions of fraudulent activity.
As the probe deepened, the UK Home Office took drastic measures, revoking visas of some implicated individuals, with several now facing deportation. The Nursing Times reported that multiple nurses have already been removed from the professional register, while others are fighting to clear their names through appeals.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Providing a detailed analysis, the NMC revealed that:
48 registered professionals allegedly obtained their CBT results fraudulently.
669 applicants seeking to join the register fell into the same category.
467 registered professionals had their CBT invalidated due to irregularities, though without direct fraud allegations.
771 applicants also had their results nullified under similar circumstances.
In response, the NMC has extended an opportunity for affected individuals to retake the CBT for free through Pearson VUE. However, the council clarified that passing the retest would not guarantee reinstatement or automatic approval of pending applications.
Those found guilty of fraud will face disciplinary hearings before an Independent Panel, which will determine whether they should remain on the register. Meanwhile, applicants with invalidated CBT results must retake the test before their applications can be reconsidered.
So far, 202 cases have undergone review, resulting in 183 application refusals due to character concerns. Only nine applications have been approved, while six out of nine appeals have been dismissed. Since March 2024, the NMC has conducted 12 fraudulent entry hearings, culminating in the removal of 10 nurses from the register, while two were cleared of any wrongdoing.
This scandal comes at a time when Nigeria is witnessing a mass exodus of healthcare professionals. Former Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar, recently disclosed that over 15,000 Nigerian nurses and midwives left the country in 2023 alone. In the past three years, 42,000 Nigerian nurses have migrated abroad in search of better opportunities.
Despite the ongoing crackdown, official records as of August 2024 indicate that 13,656 Nigerian-educated nurses and midwives are currently practising in the UK.
As the investigation continues, the NMC has assured affected individuals that it is working to resolve cases swiftly, providing support for those navigating the complex process. However, with the reputations and careers of nearly 2,000 nurses hanging in the balance, this scandal has sent shockwaves through both the UK and Nigeria’s healthcare sectors, raising critical questions about the integrity of overseas professional qualification assessments.
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