Nurses' Migration Threatens Nigeria's Healthcare System

Haruna Mamman, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), expressed concerns regarding the migration of Nigerian nurses, which he stated is jeopardizing the already fragile healthcare system in Nigeria. Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 International Nurses Day celebration, Mamman highlighted that approximately 57,000 Nigerian nurses have left the country in the last five years in search of better opportunities abroad, with 16,000 migrating to the United Kingdom alone by December 2025.

He attributed this mass migration to several push factors, including poor remuneration, harsh working conditions, insecurity, and limited career progression. The ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, is exacerbating the workforce crisis in Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Mamman called for urgent government action to address these issues, emphasizing the need for structural reforms to empower nurses and improve their working conditions to ensure quality healthcare delivery.