In the past year, Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives has received licenses to practice in the UK.
The report, covering April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, shows that 13,656 Nigerian-educated nurses and midwives are practicing in the UK.
As of March 31, 2024, the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s register lists a total of 826,418 nursing and midwifery professionals.
“Of this number, 13,656 were educated in Nigeria. In the 12 months to March 31, 2024, 3,173 people who were educated in Nigeria joined our register for the first time.”
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery in the UK.
Also maintaining a register of all eligible nurses, midwives, specialist community public health nurses, and nursing associates.
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As of March 2024, the NMC report indicates that Nigeria ranks among the top non-UK countries for education.
With a 28.3 percent increase in Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives practicing in the UK over the past year.
Top Non-UK educated Healthcare Worker
Other top non-UK countries of education as of March 2024, compared to last year are India (62,413), Philippines (49,092), Romania (7,378), and Ghana (5,536).
In 2023, the World Health Organisation said Nigeria and 54 other countries were facing the most pressing health workforce challenges related to universal health coverage.
WHO said with the impact of COVID-19 and widespread disruptions to health services.
Health workers in the identified countries continued to seek better-paid opportunities in wealthier nations.
In 2023, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives said over 75,000 nurses and midwives left the country in five years to seek greener pastures.
The mass exodus of nurses has worsened an ongoing shortage of health workers.
This poses significant threats to the healthcare delivery system, leading to limited access to care for many people.