UK Orders Nigerian Nurses to Leave Over Alleged Exam Fraud Despite Pending Appeals
Nigerian nurses embroiled in an ongoing fraud investigation have been ordered to leave the United Kingdom, even as they await the outcomes of their appeal hearings. The directive, issued by the UK Home Office, has sparked outrage and legal challenges, with affected nurses accusing the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of deliberately delaying hearings to facilitate their deportation.
Background of the Investigation
The controversy stems from an investigation by the NMC into alleged fraud at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria, where proxy testing reportedly took place for the UK’s nursing competency exam. Nearly 2,000 Nigerian nurses were implicated in the probe, which flagged anomalies in computer-based test (CBT) results from the Pearson VUE-run centre.
As a result, many nurses were fired from their jobs and removed from the NMC register, prompting legal action against the regulator. A group of 50 nurses, represented by Broad Street Solicitors and supported by Nurses Across The Borders, served the NMC with a pre-action protocol letter in February, demanding intervention to prevent deportations before appeals were concluded. However, the NMC failed to respond by the deadline, escalating the legal battle.
Home Office Deportation Orders
Several nurses have received official letters from the Home Office instructing them to depart the UK as early as March 17, following the revocation of their visas. This move has left many nurses in limbo, as their appeals against the NMC’s decisions remain unresolved.
Pastor Peters Omoragbon, executive president of Nurses Across The Borders and president of the Diaspora Nurses Association of Nigeria, accused the NMC of intentionally delaying hearings to expedite deportations.
“That saves them the troubles of trying to prove or litigate. The NMC could be accused of deliberate delay so that these nurses lose their rights of abode in the UK,” Omoragbon stated.
NMC’s Response
The NMC denied allegations of intentional delays, emphasizing its commitment to resolving cases swiftly while maintaining the integrity of the nursing register.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of the register, and it is in everyone’s best interests for hearings to be held as swiftly and safely as possible,” an NMC spokesperson said.
So far, 12 out of 48 accused registrants have faced hearings—10 were removed from the register, while two were cleared. Additionally, the assistant registrar has rejected 191 applications for registration over character concerns, with only nine approvals granted. At least 17 cases remain under review.
Legal Victories and Broader Implications
In a significant development, one of the affected nurses, referred to as Nurse D, successfully appealed the NMC’s decision in December 2024. Nurse D, who had been accused of fraudulently obtaining her CBT results, provided evidence of her rigorous preparation and extensive nursing experience, which the appeal panel found credible.
Broad Street Solicitors, representing many of the affected nurses, argued that the circumstances of Nurse D’s case were “materially the same” as those of other nurses and urged the NMC to apply the same reasoning consistently.
However, the NMC maintained that while it considers all panel decisions, individual cases must be assessed separately. The regulator reiterated that its investigation had identified patterns of rapid test completion and proxy testing, necessitating independent case-by-case assessments.
Calls for Action and Judicial Review
Broad Street Solicitors issued several demands to the NMC, including expediting all appeal processes, reinstating removed nurses during their appeals, and liaising with the Home Office to prevent visa cancellations and deportations. The firm warned that failure to act within 14 days would result in judicial review proceedings, with legal costs claimed against the NMC.
In response, the NMC stated it could not comment on ongoing legal matters but confirmed it had sought further information from the Home Office. Lesley Maslen, the NMC’s executive director of professional regulation, acknowledged the distress caused by regulatory action, stating, “We are determined to minimize that distress while ensuring public safety. Independent panels must consider each case individually, but we remain focused on resolving these cases as swiftly and fairly as possible.”
Conclusion
The deportation orders against Nigerian nurses, despite pending appeals, have raised serious concerns about fairness, due process, and the treatment of foreign healthcare workers in the UK. As the legal battle intensifies, the case underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and a balanced approach to addressing allegations of fraud while safeguarding the rights of affected individuals. The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the nursing profession, international recruitment, and the UK’s reputation as a destination for skilled healthcare workers.
