Report: 3,173 Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Relocated to UK in One Year

A total of 3,173 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives received licenses to practice in the United Kingdom between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, according to a report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The report, obtained exclusively by NIGERIA NEWS 247, revealed that 13,656 nurses and midwives educated in Nigeria are currently practicing in the UK.

The NMC data indicated that as of March 31, 2024, there were 826,418 nursing and midwifery professionals on their register. Of these, 13,656 were educated in Nigeria, with 3,173 joining the register for the first time in the past year.

The NMC is the UK regulator for nursing and midwifery, maintaining a register of eligible professionals. The report noted that Nigeria ranks among the top non-UK countries for educating nurses and midwives, with a 28.3% increase in Nigerian professionals practicing in the UK within one year. Other top non-UK countries include India (62,413), the Philippines (49,092), Romania (7,378), and Ghana (5,536).

In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified Nigeria and 54 other countries as facing significant health workforce challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to health services have prompted many health workers from these countries to seek better opportunities in wealthier nations. On March 23, the UK government placed Nigeria and 53 other countries on a red list, advising against active recruitment by health and social care employers.

Despite this, the NMC reported nearly 60,000 new nursing and midwifery professionals registered in the UK this year, with an almost equal split between UK-educated joiners (30,363) and international joiners (29,628). The number of international joiners saw an over 18% increase compared to the previous year, with nearly half (14,615) educated in India.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives reported that over 75,000 nurses and midwives left Nigeria in five years to seek better opportunities abroad. This exodus has exacerbated a shortage of health workers in Nigeria, threatening the healthcare system and limiting access to care for many people.