Over 4,600 Nigerian Doctors Migrate to UK in 3 Years

A report indicates that over 4,600 Nigerian doctors, specifically 4,691, have relocated to the United Kingdom in the last three years, exacerbating Nigeria's already fragile healthcare system. This data, released by the General Medical Council (GMC), highlights the significant migration of trained doctors, with Nigeria being the second-largest source of foreign-trained doctors in the UK after India.

As of May 28, 2025, the total number of Nigerian-trained doctors practicing in the UK is approximately 15,692. The Nigerian government estimates a loss of at least $98.5 million in training investments due to this migration.

Factors driving this exodus include poor remuneration, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate infrastructure. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has repeatedly warned about the consequences of this trend, which is further fueled by irregular salaries and excessive workloads.

The federal government's policies aimed at curbing this migration have been criticized for not addressing the fundamental issues within Nigeria's healthcare system.