The United Kingdom’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has indicted 1,238 Nigerian nurses and midwives in connection with an exam fraud scandal at the Yunnik Test Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Additionally, 717 others are under investigation for irregularities related to the examination process at the same centre.
The NMC disclosed this in an exclusive email to Punch, confirming that 1,955 Nigerian professionals were affected due to their involvement with the test centre.
Investigations into the case began in 2023 after the NMC received alerts about unusual test data from Yunnik, showing that candidates completed their Computer-Based Tests (CBT) in an abnormally short time. The CBT is a mandatory assessment for foreign-trained nurses seeking to register in the UK.
Following these findings, the UK Home Office has reportedly revoked the visas of some Nigerian nurses awaiting the outcomes of their appeals. According to Nursing Times, these affected individuals have been asked to leave the UK.
The NMC categorized those impacted into four groups:
1. Registered professionals suspected of fraudulent CBT results (48 cases).
2. Applicants attempting to join the register with suspected fraudulent CBT results (669 cases).
3. Registered professionals whose CBT results were invalidated but not linked to fraud (467 cases).
4. Applicants whose CBT results were invalidated but lacked sufficient evidence of fraud (771 cases).The council stated that testing patterns at Yunnik starkly differed from other centres worldwide, pointing to systemic fraud.
To address the issue, the NMC is offering affected individuals a chance to retake a valid CBT, with the exam provider Pearson VUE covering the costs. However, passing the new test does not guarantee reinstatement, particularly for those flagged for fraudulent entry.
The NMC’s Assistant Registrar has reviewed 202 cases, rejecting 183 applications due to character concerns. Meanwhile, nine applications have been approved. Out of 12 individuals who underwent a formal hearing, 10 were removed from the register, while two were cleared of wrongdoing.
The council assured that it is working closely with stakeholders, including the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK, to provide support for affected professionals.
This development comes amid a growing exodus of Nigerian health workers seeking better opportunities abroad. In 2023 alone, over 15,000 Nigerian nurses and midwives left the country. Between 2017 and 2022, more than 57,000 nurses emigrated, with the UK being a primary destination. As of August 2024, at least 13,656 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives were practicing in the UK.
With the probe ongoing, the fate of many affected professionals remains uncertain.
