The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is facing allegations of irregularities after a student who reportedly did not sit for a recent computer-based examination in Delta State was listed among those who passed.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that the candidate, identified as Achusim Stephanie, was absent from the examination after allegedly being hospitalised for a health-related condition. Despite this, her name appeared at the top of the results list.

One source familiar with the matter said:
“Information indicates that a candidate who didn’t write the exam at the College of Nursing, Agbor—because she was undergoing medical treatment—ended up passing. Only six candidates passed while 58 failed. How did someone who wasn’t present become one of the successful candidates when those who wrote the exam did not?”

Students and other stakeholders have called on the NMCN to investigate how a non-participant could be recorded as having passed. Several students expressed concern but said they were afraid to speak publicly about the issue.

Another source, who requested anonymity, said the candidate’s attendance was not recorded:
“She did not enter the hall or write any of the three papers. Yet her name appeared among those who passed. Meanwhile, several students who consistently perform well academically failed the NMCN exam. The outcome seems inconsistent with their records and raises questions about the accuracy of the results.”

According to these sources, the concerned students are requesting a full review of attendance registers and a formal inquiry to determine how the irregularity occurred.

Attempts by Reporters to contact the Provost of the College of Nursing, Agbor, Rita Ogonne, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

This is not the first time nursing schools in Nigeria have faced allegations of poor transparency. In September, Reporters reported that the Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Oke-Ode, was embroiled in claims of corruption and examination manipulation. Staff members and students accused the Provost, Mr. Abdulquadri Olanrewaju, of operating the institution with little accountability, including allegations of tampering with internal results, entrance examinations, and admissions.

Insiders at the time reported a climate of fear, saying students believed certain individuals could secure favourable outcomes due to their connection with management.