UK Now Home to 15,421 Nigerian Nurses as Health Worker Exodus Continues
A total of 15,421 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives have moved to the United Kingdom to practice over the past eight years, according to the latest figures released by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The data shows that from 2017 to March 31, 2025, thousands of healthcare professionals educated in Nigeria secured licenses to join the UK healthcare system. As of September 30, 2024, the figure stood at 14,815, and by March 2025, it had increased by 4.1%.
This growing migration places Nigeria as the third-highest source of foreign-trained nurses in the UK—behind only the Philippines and India.
📉 International Recruitment Declines, But Nigeria’s Numbers Still Climb
The NMC report indicates a broader drop in the overall number of overseas-trained professionals joining the UK register. From April 2023 to March 2024, only 20,671 international joiners were recorded—a sharp decline of 30.2% compared to the 29,628 who joined in the previous year.
Nurses from Nigeria, India, and the Philippines all saw notable reductions in their numbers:
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Philippines: -36.7%
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India: -47.6%
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Nigeria: -25.5%
Despite these reductions, the consistent inflow of Nigerian healthcare workers keeps the country firmly in the top three source nations.
🔄 Nurses Also Leaving the UK Register
Interestingly, the NMC report noted that 5,276 international professionals left the UK register during the past year, up 33.3% from 3,959 leavers the previous year. This trend may be driven by visa changes, work conditions, or professionals moving to countries with better earning potential.
📊 The Bigger Picture: NHS Strategy and Workforce Challenges
While the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is pushing for more domestic recruitment, it has not yet been able to offset the drop in international hiring. As a result, the overall growth of the UK’s nursing workforce has slowed.
The report also highlights a rise in ethnic diversity on the register, with professionals from Black, Asian, and other minority backgrounds now accounting for 32.5% of the total workforce (up from 30.6% as of March 2024).
“It is more important than ever that professionals can practise in an environment that values diversity and tackles racism,” the council emphasized.