Nigerian nurses in the UK are facing deportation due to alleged exam fraud, despite ongoing appeal hearings. The Home Office has issued formal letters to several affected nurses, instructing them to leave the country as early as March 17.
Background of the Case
According to Nursing Times, the controversy stems from an investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into alleged fraudulent activities at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria. The NMC claims that irregularities in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) results—conducted at the Pearson VUE-run centre—impacted approximately 2,000 Nigerian nurses.
As a result, some nurses were dismissed from their jobs and removed from the NMC register, leading to legal action against the council.
Legal Battle and Delayed Hearings
In February, a group of 50 nurses, backed by Nurses Across the Borders and represented by Broad Street Solicitors, sent a pre-action protocol letter to the NMC. They urged the council to halt deportations until all appeal hearings were concluded. However, when the NMC failed to respond within the required timeframe, the legal battle intensified.
Affected nurses claim that the NMC deliberately delayed their hearings, allowing the Home Office to issue deportation notices. Pastor Peters Omoragbon, President of the Diaspora Nurses Association of Nigeria and Nurses Across the Borders, accused the NMC of intentionally stalling hearings to facilitate removals without legal challenges.
“The delays are designed to deny these nurses their UK residency privileges,” Omoragbon asserted.
NMC’s Response and Appeal Developments
The NMC has denied any deliberate delay, stating that it is working with all stakeholders to ensure hearings proceed efficiently. “Our priority is to maintain the integrity of the register,” an NMC representative said. “It is in everyone’s best interests for hearings to be held as swiftly and safely as possible.”
So far, 12 out of 48 accused registrants have had their cases heard. While two were cleared, ten were struck from the register. Additionally, 191 applications for registration have been rejected due to ‘character issues,’ while only nine have been approved.
A Victory in the Appeals Process
One recent case offers hope to affected nurses. Nurse D, who chose to remain anonymous, successfully overturned her NMC ruling in December 2024. Initially, the NMC had declared her unfit for registration, alleging she completed her CBT exam in an unreasonably short time. However, Nurse D argued that her speed was due to rigorous preparation, 12 years of nursing experience, and familiarity with the test material.
During the appeal, the tribunal found her explanations credible, recognizing her intensive four-and-a-half-month study plan and extensive use of practice questions. The panel ruled in her favor, instructing the NMC to reinstate her on the register.
Following this decision, Broad Street Solicitors has urged the NMC to apply the same rationale to other affected nurses.
What’s Next for the Nurses?
Despite this legal victory, the NMC insists that each case is assessed individually. The council maintains that its investigation uncovered patterns of proxy testing and unusually fast test completion times, warranting further scrutiny.
In response, Broad Street Solicitors has demanded that the NMC:
- Halt deportations while appeals are ongoing.
- Expedite all hearings to ensure fair outcomes.
- Engage with the Home Office to prevent visa cancellations.
- Provide a clear justification if they refuse to reinstate other nurses with similar cases to Nurse D.
The law firm has warned that if the NMC fails to act within 14 days, it will initiate judicial review proceedings and seek legal costs from the council.
Meanwhile, the NMC has stated that it has requested further information from the Home Office but cannot comment on ongoing legal matters. The council reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue swiftly and fairly.
Lesley Maslen, NMC’s Executive Director of Professional Regulation, acknowledged the emotional toll on affected nurses. “We are determined to minimize distress while ensuring public safety. We remain committed to finding a fair resolution, but each case must be independently assessed.”
What This Means for Nigerians in the UK
For Nigerian nurses in the UK, this situation is deeply unsettling. Many have built their lives and careers in the country, only to face deportation due to an issue that may not be their fault. The case highlights the challenges African professionals can face when navigating regulatory and legal systems in the UK.
As the appeals process continues, the Nigerian community in the UK must rally around affected nurses, offering legal, financial, and moral support. Advocacy groups and legal teams are working hard to ensure justice prevails, but collective action may be necessary to prevent future cases like this.
Stay tuned to Naija UK Connect for updates on this developing story.
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