BREAKING: Nigerian Nursing Council Ends Policy Eliminating Students After Three Failed Exam Attempts

By Emiola Osifeso

A circular issued on September 1, 2025, with Ref: N&MCN/SG/RO/CIR/24/VOL.5/118 and signed by the Registrar/CEO, Ndagi Alhassan, stated that the abolition takes effective from September 2025, adding that henceforth 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 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.

A circular issued on September 1, 2025, with Ref: N&MCN/SG/RO/CIR/24/VOL.5/118 and signed by the Registrar/CEO, Ndagi Alhassan, stated that the abolition takes effective from September 2025, adding that henceforth 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 obtained on Monday was addressed to – “Commissioners/ Secretary of Health Services of all States Ministry of Health & Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Vice Chancellor of All Nigerian Universities Offering Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree Programme; Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of University Teaching Hospitals/ Specialist & Medical Centre; National President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; Directors of Nursing Services, Ministries of Health, Hospitals Management Board, All States & Federal Capital Territory; Heads of Dept. of Nursing Science, All Nigerian Universities Offering Nursing Programmes; Proprietors of All Colleges of Nursing Sciences; Provosts & Principals of Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Nursing & Midwifery; Coordinators of All Post Basic Nursing Programmes; Zonal Officers of All Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Zonal Offices.”

Titled: “Nursing Education Reforms: Elimination Of Students After Three Professional Examination Attempts,” the Council stated that the decision is in line with its commitment to regularly review nursing and midwifery education and practice standards to meet the evolving health care needs that align with global best practice.

While the council urged immediate implementation of the new decision, it, however, appealed 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.

The circular read, “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.

“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-centered 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.

“The Proprietors and Heads of Nursing training institutions should kindly take note of the following:

“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 candidate(s) concerned must remain in school and maintain at least 80% lecture and/or clinical posting attendance to be eligible for the re-sit.

“Each unsuccessful attempt at the professional examination re-sit will be counted against the institution.”