Nursing council scraps three-exam failure expulsion policy

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has abolished its policy of eliminating a candidate from training after three unsuccessful attempts at the council’s professional examinations.

The NMCN stated that the affected students will now be allowed to retake the specific part they failed until they achieve a pass mark, provided they maintain at least 80 percent attendance in lectures and clinical postings.

This was contained in a circular signed by the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the council, Ndagi Alhassan, titled, “Nursing education reform: Elimination of students after three professional examination attempts.”

The circular, dated September 1, 2025, was addressed to the Commissioners/Secretaries of Health Services, all Nigerian Universities Offering Bachelor of Nursing Science degree programmes, Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors, and others.

The latest reform is driven by the council’s goal to create a more student-centred, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.

The reform also reflects the council’s commitment to regularly reviewing nursing and midwifery education and practice standards to meet the evolving health care needs that align with global best practices.

The NMCN registrar noted that the council understands the purpose of every regulation and policy that is implemented and reviews them as the need arises to ensure they align with our commitment to academic excellence and global best practice.

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-centred, flexible, and devoted to building resilience and interest in lifelong learning.

The existing policy on eliminating candidates from training after three failed attempts at the council’s professional examinations has become a concern. It is imperative to move from a policy of mere elimination to a more student-centred approach that promotes student achievement and success while controlling quackery.

“Based on the foregoing, this policy of eliminating a candidate from training after three unsuccessful attempts at the council’s professional examinations is hereby abolished, effective from September 2025. 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.”

In the notice to the proprietors and heads of Nursing training institutions, the council stated: “The policy of eliminating unsuccessful candidates from training after three attempts at the council’s professional examination is now completely abolished.

“A candidate who is unsuccessful in any part of the council’s professional examination shall be permitted to retake that specific part until he/she is successful in all parts of the professional examination.”

The circular also stated that the candidate(s) concerned must remain in school and maintain at least 80 per cent lecture and/or clinical posting attendance to be eligible for the re-sit.

“Each unsuccessful attempt at the professional examination resit will be counted against the institution.

The council sincerely appeals to heads of institutions to implement strategies that will help all students succeed, especially those who may need more support and time to study and improve their knowledge,” it added.