UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council Investigates 1,200 Nigerian Nurses on Suspicion of Exam Fraud

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of the United Kingdom has launched an investigation into cases of exam fraud involving over 1,200 Nigerian nurses and midwives who sat for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) at Yunnik Technologies Test Center in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The NMC has flagged the center for suspicious activity, including unusually rapid completion times during the exams, suggesting the possibility of cheating.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the nursing community, as 1,238 individuals have been implicated in the fraudulent activities.

Additionally, 717 more candidates are under investigation, bringing the total number of affected professionals to 1,955. The scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the CBT process, a crucial step for Nigerian nurses and midwives seeking employment in the UK.

The NMC, which oversees the regulatory framework for nurses and midwives in the UK, has taken swift action by invalidating all CBT results from Yunnik Test Center.

As a result, those affected are now required to retake the exam to be considered for registration. While the retake process is free of charge, it does not guarantee reinstatement of their applications or approval for future work in the UK.

Nurses found guilty of involvement in the fraudulent activity face serious consequences, including potential disciplinary hearings, which could determine whether they remain on the NMC’s register.

For those involved in fraud, the ramifications are far-reaching, with the risk of having their professional credentials revoked and losing employment opportunities in the UK.

Many of the affected nurses have expressed their distress over the situation, with several claiming they were unaware of the fraudulent activities. Some individuals have already had their UK visas revoked, while others face the prospect of deportation. In light of these developments, several nurses have reached out to UK authorities, appealing for intervention and asserting their innocence.

They have also expressed concerns over the damage to their professional reputation and the toll the situation has taken on their mental health.

In a statement, the NMC emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the regulatory process, stressing that such breaches undermine the trust placed in international healthcare professionals. The NMC has stated that it will continue to work closely with Nigerian authorities to address the situation.

The case has sparked broader discussions about the reliability of testing centers abroad and the measures needed to safeguard the examination process for professionals hoping to work in the UK. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but for many Nigerian nurses, their dreams of working in the UK have been severely impacted by the ongoing scandal.
The NMC’s investigation and the subsequent actions have left many professionals questioning the future of their careers, with uncertainty hanging over the fate of those involved in the fraud.

As the investigation continues, the nursing community in both Nigeria and the UK remains on edge, awaiting further developments.