It is reported that despite the pending appeal, some Nigerian nurses are investigating fraud centres at the UK Test Centre.
Publications saw letters from the Ministry of Home Affairs directing some nurses to leave as early as next week after revoking their visas due to allegations from the Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NMC).
The NMC faces criticism for delays in handling hearings, with some nurses and advocacy groups accusing regulators of deliberately stagnating lawsuits to allow deportation. Pastor Peters Omoragbon, executive president of Border Nurse, suggested the delay was intentional, noting that “the NMC can be accused of intentional delays so that these nurses can lose their right to shelter in the UK.” The NMC denied any intentional delays and asserted that it was working to resolve the case as quickly as possible.
This situation stems from the 2023 NMC survey of Yunnik Technologies Testing Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria, with data exceptions suggesting that some nurses may have fraudulently obtained computer-based test (CBT) results. CBT is a key component of the competency test required for international nurses to register in the UK. The NMC claims about 48 registered nurses and 669 applicants may have obtained results by fraudulent means and may use proxy testers.
After the investigation, all affected individuals were asked to resettle the CBT, while those suspected of fraud had to provide further evidence. For those already on the register, the case is referred to the NMC’s independent Investigation Committee (IC), while the application of the new registrant is reviewed by the Assistant Registrar (AR). So far, 10 nurses have been removed from the register after the IC hearing, while 2 nurses have been allowed to remain. Of the 200 applications reviewed by AR, 191 were rejected for character reasons, and only 9 were accepted.
In February, 50 nurses were represented by broad street lawyers and supported by nurses at the border and provided an aggressive letter of agreement to the NMC asking it to liaise with the Ministry of the Interior to prevent deportation before appealing. They also called for a full reconsideration of a nurse (identified as a nurse) and successfully filed an appeal for her dismissal. Nurse D believes that her extensive preparation and clinical experience enables her to quickly complete CBT, convince the team to overturn the NMC decision and resume her decision.
Nevertheless, the NMC said the findings in the Nurse D case did not change the broader evidence of violations at the testing center. It insisted that all cases were evaluated separately, taking into account the personal interpretation and statistical anomalies that prompted the investigation.
Broad Street attorneys warned that if the NMC fails to take action within 14 days, it will continue to conduct judicial review procedures, seeking legal fees from regulators. Meanwhile, the NMC has confirmed that it has contacted the Ministry of the Interior for more information, but has refused to discuss ongoing legal matters.
Lesley Maslen, executive director of NMC Professional Regulations, acknowledged the troubles caused by the investigation, but stressed the importance of ensuring that all registered nurses meet professional standards. “We know that it is in everyone’s best interest to hold hearings as quickly and safely as possible,” she said, adding that regulators are working closely with the parties to speed up the process.
