Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is the statutory regulatory body for nursing and midwifery practice in Nigeria. NMCN registration is mandatory by law for nursing and midwifery practice. NMCN registers Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Midwives (RM), Registered Public Health Nurses (RPHN), and other nursing specialties; and accredits Nigerian nursing schools and university nursing programmes. The certification fits within the broader landscape of Nigerian professional qualifications and is best pursued with clear career objectives in mind, as both the time investment and financial commitment are substantial. Ongoing professional development beyond the certification — through continuing education, industry conferences and professional networking — is essential for maximising the long-term value of the credential.

Eligibility

B.NSc (Bachelor of Nursing Science) from accredited Nigerian university, or RN/RM diploma from accredited Nigerian School of Nursing/Midwifery, or international nursing qualification with NMCN evaluation.

Exam Structure

Professional Nursing Council Examinations during the nursing programme, plus NMCN Licensing Examination for international nursing qualification holders.

Fees

Registration: ₦15,000-₦30,000. Annual licence renewal: ₦20,000-₦40,000.

Career Impact

NMCN registration is mandatory for nursing practice in Nigeria. Registration enables practice in federal teaching hospitals, Federal Medical Centres, state hospitals, private hospitals, NGOs, and increasingly internationally — Nigerian-trained nurses are highly sought-after in UK, USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, with international postings paying $3,000-$8,000+ monthly versus ₦150,000-₦500,000 monthly in Nigeria.