Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing renewed strain as thousands of doctors continue to leave the country for better opportunities abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Data from the General Medical Council shows that at least 4,691 Nigerian doctors have relocated to the UK since May 29, 2023, when President Bola Tinubu assumed office. The figure highlights a steady rise in medical migration driven by working conditions and economic challenges.
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The total number of Nigerian-trained doctors practising in the UK is now estimated at about 15,692, making Nigeria one of the largest sources of foreign-trained doctors in Britain, second only to India.
Experts warn that the trend is worsening Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system. The country’s doctor-to-population ratio remains far below the World Health Organization’s recommended standard, leaving hospitals overstretched and healthcare delivery under pressure.
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The migration also represents a major financial loss. With about $21,000 spent to train each doctor, Nigeria is estimated to have lost nearly $100 million in human capital investment within a short period.
Health professional bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association and the National Association of Resident Doctors, attribute the exodus to poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and heavy workloads. Many doctors say they are overworked and burnt out, pushing them to seek better conditions abroad.
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Despite policy efforts aimed at reducing the “Japa” trend among health workers, analysts say the root causes remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to spend heavily on medical treatment overseas, further exposing gaps in the local healthcare system.
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