Brain Drain Deepens as 16,156 Nigerian Nurses Secure UK Licences Since 2017

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, according to latest data from the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The figure, obtained from the NMC register, underscores the deepening brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, popularly referred to as “japa”, as skilled professionals continue to migrate in search of better pay, working conditions and career opportunities.

In an email response, the NMC, which regulates nurses and midwives in the UK, confirmed:

“As of 30 September 2025, there were 16,156 nurses on the register who were educated in Nigeria.”

The data shows a steady rise in migration. As of March 31, 2025, the number stood at 15,421, representing a 4.8 per cent increase within six months. Nigeria ranked as the third-highest source of foreign-trained nurses in the UK, behind India and the Philippines, according to the NMC’s March 2025 report.

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Although international recruitment into the UK slowed across major source countries, including Nigeria, India and the Philippines, the report noted that the increase in UK-trained nurses has been too slow to offset the decline, resulting in slower overall growth on the NMC register.

The impact of this migration is being strongly felt at home. The 2025 Nigeria Health Statistics report, released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, revealed that 43,221 healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical laboratory scientists—left Nigeria between 2023 and 2024.

Specifically, the report showed that over 23,000 Nigerian nurses and midwives migrated abroad in 2024 alone. Their preferred destinations were the United States (8,613), United Kingdom (7,463), Canada (5,603), Saudi Arabia (1,231) and Ireland (989).

Highlighting the scale of the crisis, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said Nigeria’s doctor-to-population ratio stands at 1:5,000, far below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of 1:600, while the nurse-to-population ratio is about 1:2,000, compared to the recommended 1:300.

Salako said the Federal Government is working to address the shortfall through strengthening primary healthcare, expanding the Health Workforce Registry, increasing training quotas, and implementing retention policies aimed at slowing the tide of healthcare migration.

Brain Drain Deepens as 16,156 Nigerian Nurses Secure UK Licences Since 2017

US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals

The United States and Nigeria have signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system, with a major focus on expanding faith-based healthcare delivery across the country.

Under the agreement, jointly signed by the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, both countries will commit nearly $5.1 billion over the lifespan of the MOU. The U.S. government plans to invest about $2.1 billion, while Nigeria will increase its domestic health spending by approximately $3 billion—the largest co-investment so far under the America First Global Health Strategy.

Announcing the deal at the weekend, U.S. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the funding would support expanded preventive and curative health services, including interventions for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.

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A notable element of the agreement is its emphasis on strengthening Christian faith-based health facilities in Nigeria. According to the statement, the MOU was negotiated alongside reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at improving the protection of Christian communities, with targeted funding for faith-based clinics and hospitals.

Nigeria is home to an estimated 900 faith-based health facilities, which provide care to more than 30 per cent of the population. The U.S. government said investments in these facilities would complement services offered by public hospitals and clinics, while enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

The statement also underscored that, in line with U.S. foreign assistance policy, the President and the Secretary of State retain the authority to pause or terminate programmes that do not align with U.S. national interests. It added that the Trump administration expects Nigeria to sustain progress in addressing extremist religious violence, particularly against vulnerable Christian communities.

The U.S. Department of State disclosed that similar multi-year bilateral health MOUs are expected to be concluded with dozens of countries receiving U.S. health assistance in the coming weeks.

The agreement represents one of the most significant Nigeria–U.S. health sector partnerships in recent years and reflects growing international recognition of faith-based institutions as critical providers of healthcare in developing countries.

US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals

Menopause Brain Fog Linked to Structural Brain Changes, New Study Reveals

A new scientific review unveiled at The Menopause Society’s annual meeting has shed fresh light on menopause brain fog, revealing that cognitive symptoms—such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and mental slowness—are among the most troubling experiences for many women during the menopausal transition.

The review, which analysed multiple brain-imaging studies, offers the clearest picture yet of what happens inside the female brain during menopause. Researchers found that declining estrogen levels are associated with measurable structural brain changes, particularly reduced gray matter volume in key regions such as the frontal and temporal lobes and the hippocampus, areas critical for memory, learning, and decision-making.

These changes have been linked to declines in several types of memory. However, the findings also offer reassurance: evidence suggests that gray matter volume may partially recover after menopause, indicating that the brain can adapt to hormonal changes over time.

The review also highlighted an increase in white-matter hyperintensities—small lesions visible on brain scans—during menopause. These lesions have been associated with cognitive decline and mood disturbances and appear more frequently in women who experience early menopause or severe hot flashes.

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In response to falling estrogen levels, researchers observed an increase in estrogen receptor density in the brain, which experts believe may be a compensatory mechanism aimed at preserving brain function.

“Our brains are wired with estrogen,” said Dr. Fatima Naqvi, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at Atlantic Health. “When estrogen production drops, the brain begins to remodel itself and adapt to reduced hormonal support.”

However, experts stress that hormones are not the sole contributors to menopausal cognitive changes. Dr. Jennifer Wu, an ob-gyn at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, noted that sleep disruption, stress, and lifestyle changes common during menopause can worsen mental fog. “Many women are not sleeping well, and it is often a very stressful period of life,” she said.

While researchers hope the findings will lead to targeted treatments for menopause-related cognitive symptoms, doctors advise women to take proactive steps now. Recommended strategies include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and consuming Omega-3-rich foods such as salmon and walnuts, which may support brain health.

Hormone therapy may help some women, particularly when started early in menopause, though responses vary. Experts caution against unregulated supplements that claim to cure brain fog, advising women to seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.

As research continues into how menopause reshapes the brain, specialists say greater awareness could improve support, treatment options, and quality of life for millions of women navigating this major life transition.

Menopause Brain Fog Linked to Structural Brain Changes, New Study Reveals