The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has abolished its policy of eliminating students after three failed attempts at professional examinations, allowing repeated resits until success is achieved.
ABUJA – The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has abolished its long-standing policy that eliminated candidates from training after three failed attempts at the Council’s professional examinations.
In a circular dated September 1, 2025, with Ref: N\&MCN/SG/RO/CIR/24/VOL.5/118, the Registrar/CEO, Ndagi Alhassan, announced that the change takes effect from September 2025. He stated that “candidates who do not pass a part of the professional examination will be required to retake that specific part until a pass mark is achieved.”
The circular, addressed to health commissioners, teaching hospitals, universities, nursing schools, and other stakeholders, explained that the reform is part of efforts to align nursing education with global best practices.
“Our mission to promote and maintain excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice calls for a more inclusive and supportive academic environment that is student-centered, flexible, and devoted to building resilience and interest in lifelong learning,” it read.
The Council urged institutions to support struggling students while maintaining an 80% lecture and clinical attendance requirement for re-sit eligibility. It further stressed that each failed attempt will still count against the institution.
The directive is to be implemented immediately across all nursing training institutions.
READ MORE AT SAHARA REPORTERS.