Nigerian-trained nurses are increasingly passing their professional exams in Nigeria but submitting their results abroad, particularly in the UK.
A recent report reveals that 13,656 Nigerian-trained nurses were registered in the UK from March 2023 to 2024, a 28% increase from the previous year.
This makes Nigeria the third largest source of international nurses for the UK, following India and the Philippines.
The UK’s nursing workforce has reached record numbers, with 826,418 registered professionals, a 4.8% increase from last year.
The rise in Nigerian nurses reflects ongoing efforts by the UK to address healthcare worker shortages exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK government’s attractive support packages, including a £5,000 cost-of-living bonus and the Health and Care skilled worker visa, continue to lure Nigerian nurses away from their home country.
In response, Nigeria’s Nursing and Midwifery Council has mandated that nurses seeking foreign certification must practice in Nigeria for at least two years.
Despite this, the UK’s demand for international nurses remains high, with increasing numbers joining its healthcare system.
The situation highlights Nigeria’s struggle with a low nurse-to-patient ratio, well below WHO recommendations.