Nigerian Nurses Under Exam Fra¥d Investigation Face Deportation from UK

Nigerian Nurses Under Exam Fra¥d Investigation Face Deportation from UK

Some Nigerian nurses under investigation for fra¥d at a UK test centre have been ordered to leave the country despite pending appeals, Nursing Times reveals in an exclusive report.

The Home Office has sent letters demanding their departure next week after their visas were revoked.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is accused of delaying hearings, risking repatriation before appeals are heard. The NMC denies this, stating it is working to schedule hearings promptly.

This follows an investigation into nearly 2,000 Nigerian nurses linked to fra¥dulent testing at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria.

Concerns arose when data showed unusually fast completion times for the computer-based test (CBT), a requirement for international nurses joining the NMC register.

The NMC identified 48 registered nurses and 669 applicants likely involved in fraudulent testing. Those suspected were asked to re-sit the CBT or provide additional evidence.

An independent panel reviewed cases of registered nurses, while an assistant registrar (AR) assessed applicants.

So far, 20 individuals admitted to using proxy testers. Of the 48 accused registrants, 12 hearings have been held, resulting in 10 removals and two nurses being allowed to remain. Among 200 reviewed applications, 191 were rejected, and nine were accepted. Seventeen cases remain undecided.

Many affected nurses claim they were unfairly dismissed or had visas revoked while awaiting hearings. A group of 50 nurses served the NMC with a legal notice in February, demanding it liaise with the Home Office to prevent deportations before appeal outcomes. The NMC missed the deadline to respond, prompting the nurses to pursue legal action.

The situation remains unresolved, with calls for the NMC to reassess all removed or rejected cases after one nurse successfully appealed.