Posted on: Tue 25-03-2025

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has issued a critical reminder to all registered medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of updating their records on the MDCN portal. This directive, initially announced in July 2024 with several follow-up reminders, underscores the Council’s commitment to maintaining high standards in healthcare delivery across the country. This initiative is a pivotal step toward ensuring that Nigeria’s healthcare system operates with transparency, professionalism, and accountability.

The Council is updating its Master Register, which will be published in 2025. This register serves as the official record of all licensed practitioners in the country, ensuring that only qualified and compliant professionals are recognized to practice legally. The update process is not just a bureaucratic formality—it’s a cornerstone of professional accountability. The MDCN has outlined several key reasons for this exercise:

• Accurate Records for Compliance: Practitioners are required to update their professional details, including login credentials, global verification processes, and other account information. This ensures that the MDCN has up-to-date records of all active practitioners.
• Commitment to Professionalism: The update includes submitting details of additional qualifications (AQ), which will be reflected in the 2025 Master Register. This step ensures that practitioners’ skills and expertise are accurately documented, fostering trust in the healthcare system.
• Streamlined Communication: Practitioners are encouraged to provide feedback or seek assistance via email, ensuring that the MDCN can address any challenges during the update process.

By maintaining an accurate and comprehensive Master Register, the Council ensures that only qualified professionals are practicing, thereby protecting the public from unqualified practitioners.

What Practitioners Need to Do

The MDCN has provided clear guidelines for practitioners to follow in completing this update:

• Update Professional Details: Practitioners must promptly update their records on the MDCN portal, including login details and global verification information.
• Submit Additional Qualifications: Those with new qualifications since their last registration are required to submit these details for inclusion in the 2025 Master Register. 

Failure to comply with this directive could have serious implications. As outlined on the MDCN’s official website, registration is a necessary but not sufficient condition for legal medical or dental practice in Nigeria. Practitioners must also be licensed, and employers are responsible for ensuring that their staff meet these requirements. The Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990, empowers the MDCN to enforce these regulations, including through disciplinary measures if necessary.

The MDCN’s roadmap to excellence is a clarion call for all medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria to take their professional responsibilities seriously. By updating their records, practitioners not only ensure their own compliance but also contribute to the broader goal of improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.  

For practitioners who have yet to update their records, it’s not too late to take action. Visit the MDCN portal at mdcn.gov.ng to complete the process and ensure your place in the 2025 Master Register. Together, we can build a healthcare system that meets the needs of all Nigerians—one that is transparent, efficient, and dedicated to excellence. 

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