The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Faruk Abubakar, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding nurses’ certification verification, stating that the average nurse in Nigeria earns not less than N135,000 monthly, News About Nigeria reports.
Abubakar made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives had staged protests at the NMCN’s offices in Abuja and Lagos, expressing concerns about the council’s guidelines affecting their career opportunities.
One of the issues was the NMCN’s revised guidelines stating that applicants seeking certificate verification from foreign nursing boards must possess two years of post-qualification experience.
Abubakar clarified that the NMCN is not responsible for determining nurses’ remuneration, stating that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, along with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), is working to address nurses’ welfare concerns.
He said that an average nurse’s salary ranges from N135,000 to N200,000, depending on the work location, whether at the national, state, or local government level.
Addressing the issue of remuneration, Abubakar said that the responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health, and efforts are underway to address the concerns raised by the NANNM.
He mentioned that the Federal Ministry of Health has constituted a committee to examine various issues, including nurses’ welfare and remuneration.
Abubakar also pointed out that the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission determines remuneration nationwide, including for nurses.
He reiterated that the NMCN’s role is to regulate the standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice in Nigeria, while the Ministry of Health handles matters related to remuneration.
