The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has announced a major reform in nursing education, scrapping its long-standing policy that dismissed students after three unsuccessful attempts at the Council’s professional examinations.
In a circular dated September 1, 2025, and signed by the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Ndagi Alhassan, the Council said students will now be allowed to retake only the specific part of the examination they failed until they achieve a pass mark. The new policy, however, requires candidates to remain in training and maintain at least 80 per cent attendance in lectures and clinical postings.
The circular, titled “Nursing education reform: Elimination of students after three professional examination attempts,” was addressed to Commissioners and Secretaries of Health Services, all Nigerian universities offering Bachelor of Nursing Science degrees, as well as Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors.
According to the Council, the reform is aimed at building a more student-centred, inclusive, and supportive academic environment. It explained that the review was driven by the need to adapt to evolving health care demands while keeping pace with global best practices.
“The existing policy on eliminating candidates from training after three failed attempts at the Council’s professional examinations has become a concern. It is imperative to move from a policy of mere elimination to a more student-centred approach that promotes student achievement and success while controlling quackery,” the Council stated.
It emphasised that every regulation is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with its mission to “promote and maintain excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice.”
The Council confirmed that the abolition of the “three-strike” rule takes effect from September 2025. “A candidate who is unsuccessful in any part of the Council’s professional examination shall be permitted to retake that specific part until he/she is successful in all parts of the professional examination,” the circular read.
Institutions were further informed that each unsuccessful re-sit attempt will be counted against them, underscoring the need for schools to intensify academic support.
“The Council sincerely appeals to Heads of institutions to implement strategies that will help all students succeed, especially those who may need more support and time to study and improve their knowledge,” the statement added.
