NIC Regulatory Framework
NIC REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Accreditation Requirements for Care Facilities
1. PURPOSE OF ACCREDITATION
The National Institute of Caregivers (NIC) Accreditation of Care Facilities is established to:
Ensure **minimum standards of care** for vulnerable populations
Protect care recipients from neglect, abuse, and unsafe practices
Professionalize the caregiving industry in Nigeria
Create a **nationally recognized registry** of compliant facilities
Promote continuous improvement and accountability
2. CATEGORIES OF FACILITIES ELIGIBLE FOR ACCREDITATION
NIC may accredit the following facility types:
Residential Care Homes (Elderly / Assisted Living)
Nursing Care Facilities
Dementia & Memory Care Centers
Disability & Special Needs Care Facilities
Rehabilitation & Recovery Centers
Home Care Agencies (Non-residential)
Palliative & Hospice Care Facilities
3. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To qualify for NIC accreditation, a care facility must:
Be **legally registered** in Nigeria (CAC)
Operate from a **verifiable physical location**
Employ **qualified caregivers**
Comply with **health, safety, and welfare standards**
Agree to NIC inspections and ongoing monitoring
4. ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS (CORE AREAS)
A. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Facilities must provide:
Certificate of Incorporation (CAC)
Memorandum & Articles of Association (where applicable)
Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Local government operational permit
Evidence of compliance with relevant health regulations
Fire safety clearance (where applicable)
B. Governance & Management
Facilities must demonstrate:
Clearly defined ownership & management structure
Designated facility administrator/manager
Written policies on Ethics & professional conduct, Anti-abuse & safeguarding, and Complaints handling
Evidence of staff supervision & accountability
C. Human Resources & Staffing
#### Minimum Staffing Requirements
Registered caregivers certified by NIC or equivalent body
Minimum caregiver-to-client ratio (defined per facility type)
At least one supervisor/lead caregiver per shift
Access to medical professionals (on-call or employed)
#### Staff Documentation
NIC caregiver membership numbers
Valid certifications & training records
Police clearance/background checks
Medical fitness certificates
Ongoing training & CPD records
D. Care Standards & Service Delivery
Facilities must have:
Individual care plans for each client
Admission & discharge procedures
Medication management protocols
Nutrition & feeding guidelines
Personal hygiene & dignity policies
Emergency response procedures
E. Health, Safety & Environment
Facilities must meet standards on:
Cleanliness & sanitation
Adequate ventilation & lighting
Safe water supply
Waste disposal systems
Fire safety equipment
Accessibility for persons with disabilities
Secure premises
F. Facilities & Infrastructure
Adequate sleeping arrangements
Toilets & bathing facilities
Common areas for social interaction
Safe storage for medications
First aid & basic medical equipment
Kitchen facilities
G. Record Keeping & Data Management
Facilities must maintain:
Client records (physical or digital)
Staff attendance & duty rosters
Incident & accident logs
Medication administration records
Inspection & audit reports
H. Ethics, Rights & Safeguarding
Facilities must demonstrate:
Respect for client dignity, privacy, and autonomy
Non-discrimination policies
Consent procedures
Zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Clear whistleblowing mechanisms
I. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
Facilities must have:
Internal quality review processes
Client & family feedback mechanisms
Incident investigation procedures
Corrective action plans
Willingness to implement NIC recommendations
5. ACCREDITATION PROCESS
**Application Submission**: Online application via NIC portal, upload required documents, and payment of accreditation fee.
**Document Review**: Preliminary compliance check and clarifications.
**On-site Inspection**: Physical facility assessment, staff interviews, and records verification.
**Accreditation Decision**: Full, Conditional, or Denial.
**Listing & Certification**: Entry into NIC National Facility Registry and issuance of certificate.
6. VALIDITY & RENEWAL
Accreditation is valid for **1–3 years** (category-based).
Renewal requires updated documentation, compliance review, and re-inspection.
7. MONITORING, SANCTIONS & ENFORCEMENT
NIC reserves the right to:
Conduct unannounced inspections
Suspend or revoke accreditation
Publish compliance status on NIC registry
Report serious violations to relevant authorities
8. BENEFITS OF NIC ACCREDITATION
Accredited facilities gain national recognition, public trust, access to NIC-certified caregivers, and eligibility for partnerships.
9. DISCLAIMER
NIC accreditation does not replace statutory licenses issued by government authorities but serves as a **professional quality assurance certification**.
© National Institute of Caregivers (NIC). All Rights Reserved.
Need Support with Compliance?
Our registry department provides technical guidance for facilities to meet these national standards.