Thousands of Nigerians train as nurses abroad, in Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, Cyprus, India and elsewhere. To practise at home they must go through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). At its 16th induction ceremony in Abuja, the Council admitted 325 foreign-trained nurses to the register.
Where they trained
| Country | Nurses |
|---|---|
| Cameroon | 105 |
| Niger Republic | 78 |
| Ghana | 57 |
| Cyprus | 36 |
| India | 14 |
| Sudan | 11 |
| Liberia | 7 |
| Turkey and Uganda | 5 each |
| Georgia, Morocco, Egypt | 4, 2, 1 |
The pathway, step by step
- Credential review by the NMCN, which checks your school, programme and transcripts.
- Adaptation programme at an approved Nigerian university or college of nursing. This cohort trained at 13 institutions, including ABU Zaria, UNN, UI, UniPort, UNIZIK, FU Gombe, UNILORIN and OAU.
- NMCN professional examination. This cohort passed the May 2026 General Nursing Professional Examination.
- Induction and oath, after which you join the national register.
- Compulsory one-year internship in an accredited Nigerian facility before full registration.
Tips before you study abroad
- Check that the foreign school and programme will be recognised by the NMCN before you pay fees.
- Keep detailed transcripts with clinical hours.
- Budget for the extra time adaptation and internship add.
Related: Full NMCN guide: licensure, fees and renewal
Source: Daily Trust (23 July 2026). Confirm current requirements with the NMCN.