Dozens of Nigerian nurses in the United Kingdom are facing deportation orders following accusations of exam fraud linked to a test center in Nigeria, despite ongoing appeals, according to a report by *Nursing Times*.
The nurses, some of whom received letters from the UK Home Office, have been instructed to leave the country as soon as next week after their visas were revoked.
The orders stem from a 2023 investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, where data irregularities suggested that some Computer-Based Test (CBT) results may have been obtained fraudulently.
The CBT is a crucial component of the UK’s nursing qualification process for international recruits. The NMC alleges that 48 registered nurses and 669 applicants may have secured their results improperly, potentially using proxies to take the exams on their behalf.
While affected nurses were asked to retake the CBT, those suspected of misconduct faced further scrutiny. Cases involving already registered nurses were forwarded to the NMC’s Investigating Committee (IC), while new applicants underwent review by an assistant registrar (AR). So far, 10 nurses have been removed fromthe register after IC hearings, with only two allowed to remain. Of 200 applications reviewed, 191 were rejected on character grounds, leaving just nine accepted.
The situation has drawn criticism, particularly over delays in the NMC’s hearing processes. Pastor Peters Omoragbon, president of Nurses Across The Borders, accused the council of deliberately stalling, suggesting this could allow deportations to proceed before appeals conclude.
The NMC has denied these claims, insisting it is working to resolve cases swiftly and fairly.
Legal representatives Broad Street Solicitors, supported by Nurses Across The Borders, have issued a pre-action protocol letter to the NMC, demanding intervention with the Home Office to prevent deportations.
They argue that the cases deserve a full reconsideration, citing a landmark victory where one nurse, identified as “Nurse D,” successfully appealed her removal. Nurse D convinced the panel that her rapid CBT completion stemmed from rigorous preparation and clinical expertise, leading to her reinstatement.
Despite this, the NMC maintains that Nurse D’s outcome doesn’t undermine broader evidence of irregularities. The council says each case is judged individually, balancing personal explanations against statistical anomalies from the test center.
Broad Street Solicitors has warned it will pursue a judicial review if the NMC fails to act within 14 days, stating they intend to recover legal costs from the regulator.
In response, Lesley Maslen, NMC’s executive director of professional regulation, acknowledged the distress caused by the situation but stressed the importance of maintaining professional standards. We recognize how difficult this is for everyone involved and remain committed to ensuring hearings are held swiftly and fairly,” Maslen said, confirming the NMC is in contact with the Home Office.
