Nearly 2,000 Nigerian nurses in the UK are facing deportation after their visas were revoked, following a controversial fraud investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC.

The Home Office has instructed many of the affected nurses to leave the country as soon as next week, despite some of their appeal hearings still being pending.

The situation has sparked widespread criticism, with some accusing the NMC of deliberately delaying hearings to facilitate the deportations.

The investigation, which began in 2023, centers around the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria, which was alleged to have facilitated fraudulent activities in the computer-based test required for registration with the NMC.

The NMC flagged test results showing unusually quick completion times and flagged those involved for potential fraud.

As a result, almost 50 nurses in the UK have had their registration removed, and hundreds of applications have been refused.

The controversy has deepened as several nurses, including those whose visas have been cancelled, have claimed they were unfairly targeted, having their employment terminated and facing the risk of repatriation.

In a bid to prevent the deportations, the affected nurses, represented by Broad Street Solicitors, have sent a formal pre-action protocol letter to the NMC, demanding that the regulator work with the Home Office to allow them to remain in the UK until their appeal cases are heard.

They also requested that the NMC reconsider the cases of those whose registrations were removed or whose applications were rejected, citing one successful appeal as a precedent.

The nurses’ legal team stated: “We have sent a letter to the NMC, urging them to work with the Home Office so that the nurses facing deportation can stay in the UK until their appeals are heard. It is critical that these nurses, who are in the process of appealing, are not sent back before they have a fair hearing.”

The NMC, which oversees the regulatory process for nurses in the UK, has denied accusations of delaying tactics.

A spokesperson for the NMC responded: “We are sorry people feel this way and want to be absolutely clear that there have not been deliberate delays. We are working with all parties to schedule the remaining hearings in accordance with their requirements and availability. 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.”

The NMC’s investigation centers around the Yunnik Test Centre, which was used by Pearson VUE on behalf of the NMC for CBTs.

Data analysis disclosed that many test-takers completed the CBT in record times, raising concerns about potential proxy testing—where someone else sits the exam on behalf of the candidate.

The NMC concluded that 48 nurses already on the register and 669 applicants had likely been involved in fraudulent testing.

As part of the investigation, the NMC required these nurses and applicants to retake their CBT and provide additional evidence to clarify the circumstances of their original test results.

Nurses who were already registered were referred to an independent NMC panel, which reviews each case to determine if fraudulent entry to the register occurred.

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The NMC said: “Our investigation disclosed that several candidates may have used proxy testers to complete their CBTs. We are thoroughly reviewing each case to ensure that the register is maintained with individuals who have met the required standards for safe and effective practice.”

In total, 48 nurses already on the NMC register have been accused of fraudulent behavior, with 12 of these cases already heard by the panel. Out of the 12, 10 were removed from the register, and 2 were allowed to remain.

Additionally, 191 applicants have been refused registration, while 9 have been admitted.

However, many of the nurses affected by the investigation have expressed frustration with the long delays in the appeals process.

Some have even been dismissed from their jobs by employers who were informed of the fraud investigation.

As a result, the deportation threat looms large for these workers, many of whom are now seeking legal recourse.

Broad Street Solicitors, which is representing 50 of the affected nurses, has been vocal about the situation.

The legal team sent the pre-action protocol letter to the NMC on February 13, 2025, urging the regulator to speed up the appeals process.

The letter also calls for the NMC to reconsider the cases of those whose registrations were removed or whose applications were rejected, citing the success of Nurse D’s appeal as a precedent.

One of the nurses, Nurse D, was previously told her CBT had been completed fraudulently due to the unusually short time she took to finish the test.

However, her appeal was successful, and the NMC panel allowed her back onto the register after considering her extensive preparation.

Nurse D’s legal team argued: “The circumstances of Nurse D’s case show that a full and fair consideration of all the facts can result in the reversal of the decision to remove her from the register. This precedent should apply to all affected nurses.”

The NMC responded: “While we reflect on all panel decisions, the outcome of any individual case does not change the underlying evidence. Each case is being reviewed individually, and the investigation into proxy testing remains an important factor.”

The NMC’s spokesperson continued, stating: “We are committed to resolving these cases swiftly and ensuring that our register remains robust. We understand the distress this situation has caused, and we are working closely with all involved to schedule hearings as soon as possible.”

Broad Street Solicitors has demanded that the NMC expedite the hearing process for all affected nurses, restore those who were wrongfully removed from the register, and coordinate with the Home Office to prevent deportation of nurses until their appeals have been resolved.

The NMC has acknowledged that the process is distressing for all involved. Lesley Maslen, executive director of professional regulation at the NMC, stated: “We know that undergoing regulatory action is distressing for people, and we are sorry for this. Our priority is to resolve these cases swiftly while ensuring that only qualified and competent nurses remain on the register to provide safe care.”

Reported by the Nursing Times