Multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters said the management of the college informed students that anyone who refuses to participate in the pre-NMCN examination would be barred from taking the actual NMCN examination.
The College of Nursing, Agbor, Delta State, has been accused of forcing students to take a Pre–Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) examination.
Multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters said the management of the college informed students that anyone who refuses to participate in the pre-NMCN examination would be barred from taking the actual NMCN examination.
However, the affected students faulted the decision of the College of Nursing, Agbor, describing it as unjustified and contrary to existing NMCN regulations.
Some of the students noted that they had already taken the pre-NMCN examination in the past but did not pass the main NMCN examination. They insisted that the NMCN law does not require candidates who failed the council examination to resit the pre-NMCN exam before reattempting the NMCN examination.
One of the affected students told SaharaReporters, "I took the council exam in May 2025 and failed. I took it again in November and didn't pass. I’m planning to retake it in May this year, only for me to hear that we are going to take the pre-council exam in the second week of February. This is the same exam I took a year ago, and they said if we don’t pass in a single sitting, we won’t be registered with the council.”
Another student said the decision contradicts official NMCN guidelines.
"I signed out last May from nursing school and I failed my NMCN exam. But NMCN rules state that we can keep taking the exam till we pass. Now, I have only one paper to take by May 2026. Suddenly, the provost wants us to take pre-council exam again," the student said.
Sources further told SaharaReporters that the action taken by the College of Nursing is not in line with practice in other nursing schools across the country.
"We have asked around, Agbor is the only college taking such action," one of the affected students said.
They also claimed the school authorities gave very short notice for the exam.
"We were only informed on January 12 that the examination will take place in the second week of February, nobody told us anything before then," another source said.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the NMCN computer-based examinations held last November in Delta State.
According to multiple sources, a candidate who reportedly did not take the examination due to health-related issues was nevertheless listed among those who passed.
Sources said the student was not present at the examination venue, as she was allegedly receiving medical treatment, yet she emerged as the top candidate.
"Of all of those who took the examination, only six passed while 58 failed. How come she was one of the people who passed when even those who took the exam failed," a source said.
Concerned stakeholders and students have called on the NMCN to investigate the circumstances surrounding the result and to address the grievances of students affected by the pre-NMCN examination directive.
The College Provost, Rita Ogonne, declined to comment when contacted.