Nigerian Government In Tears, Lament As 3,173 Nurses, Midwives Move From Nigeria To UK Last Year – Report Confirms
A recent report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reveals that a significant number of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives are seeking opportunities in the United Kingdom.
Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, 3,173 Nigerian-educated professionals were licensed to practice in the UK, bringing the total number of Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives in the UK to 13,656.
The NMC report shows that Nigeria is among the top countries of education for nursing and midwifery professionals in the UK, alongside India, the Philippines, Romania, and Ghana.
The number of Nigerian nurses and midwives practicing in the UK has increased by 28.3% in just one year.
This trend is attributed to the global shortage of healthcare workers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Nigeria and 54 other countries as facing significant health workforce challenges.
Many health workers in these countries seek better-paying opportunities in wealthier nations.
In response, the UK government has placed Nigeria and 53 other countries on a “red list” of nations that should not be targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers.
However, the NMC report notes that the number of international nurses and midwives registering to practice in the UK continues to rise, with nearly 60,000 new professionals joining the register this year alone.
The exodus of nurses from Nigeria has severe implications for the country’s healthcare system, with over 75,000 nurses and midwives leaving the country in the past five years.
This brain drain worsens the existing shortage of health workers, limiting access to care for many people.
