Japa: Nigerian nurses practising in UK hit over 16,000

Nurses

No fewer than 16,156 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives have been licensed to practise in the United Kingdom between 2017 and September 30, 2025, The PUNCH reports.

This figure is based on the latest data from the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council register, obtained exclusively by our correspondent on Wednesday.

The figure highlights a significant trend in the brain drain of the healthcare workforce trained in Nigeria, a trend now known as japa, seeing skilled professionals leaving for countries that offer better remuneration, career advancement, and working conditions.

The migration of healthcare workers poses a serious challenge to Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in underserved areas, and underscores the need for urgent policies to retain healthcare workers and strengthen domestic capacity. Punch