At least 14,815 nurses and midwives trained in Nigeria have migrated to the United Kingdom over the past five years in search of better opportunities, according to data from the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Between April and September 2024 alone, 1,159 Nigerian-trained health professionals were added to the NMC register, marking an 8.5% increase in just six months.
This brings the total number of Nigerian nurses and midwives on the UK register to 14,815.
While the register reflects those qualified to practise in the UK, it does not necessarily mean all are currently employed.
Still, the consistent growth in numbers since 2017 signals a clear trend of migration among Nigerian healthcare professionals.
As of September 30, 2024, the UK had over 200,000 foreign-trained health workers on its register, with Nigerians ranking third after India and the Philippines.
Although there was a 16.1% drop in new Nigerian additions compared to the previous year, Nigeria remains one of the UK’s top sources of healthcare workers, according to the NMC.
The persistent outflow has sparked concern among health authorities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, warned that the continued brain drain is putting immense pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
“We train some of the world’s finest doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, yet too often, they leave our shores in search of better opportunities,” he said. “While we celebrate their global impact, we must also confront the strain this places on our health systems and our economy.”
He added that African countries need to work together to negotiate stronger, legally binding agreements with nations like the UK to ensure they contribute to the training and infrastructure needs of the countries they hire from.
Dr. Salako also emphasized the importance of keeping Nigerian health workers in the country by providing better incentives.
“We need to boost the output of our medical schools while creating working conditions that inspire our health workers to stay and serve their communities,” he said.
Healthcare professionals and experts have repeatedly blamed poor salaries, lack of equipment, and unfavorable working conditions for the high rate of migration.
“Nurses are overwhelmed and underpaid. Many of us work double shifts with very little support,” said Ifeoma Eze, a registered nurse in Lagos who is currently preparing to move to the UK. “It’s not that we want to leave home, but we want to grow and be valued.”
Unless urgent steps are taken to retain skilled health professionals in Nigeria, the country’s already stretched health system may face even deeper challenges in the near future.
