The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has abolished its long-standing policy of disqualifying nursing students after three failed attempts at the Council’s professional examinations.
A circular dated September 1, 2025, with reference number N\&MCN/SG/RO/CIR/24/VOL.5/118 and signed by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Ndagi Alhassan, announced that the reform takes effect from September 2025.
According to the new directive, candidates who do not pass a part of the professional examination will be required to retake only the failed section until a pass mark is achieved, instead of being completely removed from training.
The circular, obtained on Monday, was addressed to Commissioners and Secretaries of Health Services in all state ministries of health and the Federal Capital Territory, Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities offering Bachelor of Nursing Science, Chief Medical Directors of teaching hospitals and medical centres, Directors of Nursing Services, proprietors and heads of nursing training institutions, as well as coordinators of post-basic nursing programmes nationwide.
Titled “Nursing Education Reforms: Elimination Of Students After Three Professional Examination Attempts,” the circular explained that the decision reflects the Council’s commitment to regularly review nursing and midwifery education and practice standards in line with evolving healthcare needs and global best practices.
The Council said its mission is to promote and maintain excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice by fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that is student-centred, flexible, and focused on resilience and lifelong learning.
It stated that the policy of eliminating candidates after three unsuccessful attempts has become a concern and needed to be replaced with a student-centred approach that encourages achievement while maintaining standards to curb quackery.
The new guidelines include that unsuccessful candidates will be permitted to retake the specific part of the examination they failed until they pass all sections, provided they remain in school and maintain at least 80 percent attendance in lectures and clinical postings. However, each unsuccessful re-sit will be counted against the institution.
The Council urged institutions to implement the policy immediately and appealed to school authorities to provide additional support for students who require more time and guidance to succeed.
