A Nigerian nurse has shared her recent ordeal while attempting to complete her Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in the UK, highlighting an unexpected issue that left her emotionally and financially drained. Her experience serves as a critical lesson for those planning to travel, particularly self-sponsored candidates, who might not anticipate such complications.
Here’s her story”
“Good morning great nurses.
It’s my pleasure to share my experience here for others to be conscious of it. I arrived UK for my OSCE under self Sponsorship.On my exam day at Ulsters all checks were done including passport I.D Check .After my exam,all documents were given back to me .The next day,I got a mail from NMC I.D Check team that I did not pass my I.D Check,that I should contact passport office from my country. I got back to NMC for more explanation of why I didn’t pass the I.D Check.They explained that my passport was not readable in their system, the MRZ(Machine Reading Zone) is not in alligment,that it could be due to issuing error.
I contacted an Immigration officer from Nigeria who asked me to pay N 20, 000 for online activation,I paid,got back to NMC,they said still same.
The Immigration officer told me to send mail to their servicom team addressing my challenge to the controller,I did same,to no avail,No body is responding to me.I was emotionally down,depressed and hopeless.
After some weeks,a barrister was involved who now called the controller from Nigeria ,blaming them for issuing a citizen a passport that is not readable ,the controller now contacted the controller here in UK and gave him my contact.He now called me and told me to come to their office in London with the Passport.I got there,spent £84 on Transport, they checked the passport and offered to do another passport for me.
I was asked to go and make online payment and return to them with the print out.I left,came back the 2nd time ,spent same amt.of money on Transportation, all effort to make online payment proved abortive.I was finally directed to where I got assistance, paid £280, then I was issued another passport same day.
I cancelled my flight back home.I scanned the passport to NMC and they asked me to choose any centre closer to me for an in person I.D check.
Please,l have chosen Swindon oxford university, someone who has gone there should assist me with the cheapest route (train or bus) and direction.
I never did the passport express in Nigeria, it stayed 3 months before I picked it.
Nigeria is a sc*m.please check your passport before coming . Thank you”
Her message is a stark reminder of the importance of checking all travel documents for errors, especially when they are issued by Nigerian authorities. She notes, “Nigeria is a scam. Please check your passport before coming. Thank you.”
Her experience underscores the critical need for vigilance and preparedness when dealing with official documentation, especially for professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
