The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has issued a directive to institutions across the country to accept the Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE) as a valid alternative to the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) SSCE certificates for admission into nursing programmes.
According to a circular obtained by EduCeleb.com on Friday, the directive was issued to key stakeholders, including commissioners of health, university vice chancellors, provosts of nursing institutions, directors of nursing services, and teaching hospitals.
The document was signed by the Acting Registrar and CEO of NMCN, Alhassan Ndagi is dated April 14, 2025.
It reaffirms the Council’s commitment to inclusive access to nursing education in Nigeria, stating that the SAISSCE should be “given due consideration for admission based on the specific requirements of the programme.”
The circular further referenced the National Council on Education’s (NCE) endorsement of the SAISSCE in 2011 during its 57th meeting in Sokoto, highlighting that the Federal Government had already approved the certificate as a recognised qualification.
“Ensure compliance with this directive and bring the content of this circular to the attention of all concerned,” the NMCN instructed institutions.
The move is expected to broaden access to nursing education for students from Arabic and Islamic studies schools, aligning with the Federal Government’s wider inclusivity agenda in the education sector.
The Council also expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their continued cooperation in promoting excellence in nursing education and practice in accordance with global standards.
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