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.

READ ALSO:

• Sheikh Gumi Drags Two to Court Over Alleged Fake Threat Against Defence Minister
• Lagos Fire Service Battles Blaze at 25-Storey Great Nigeria Insurance House
• AFCON 2025: Tanzania Coach Gamondi Praises Players Despite 2–1 Defeat to Nigeria

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

NAFDAC Assures Nigerians: Locally Made Indomie Noodles Safe Amid French Recall Alert

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured the public that Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour is not registered or sold in Nigeria, following a recall alert issued by French health authorities.

In a press release on Sunday, NAFDAC clarified that the recall, initiated by Rappel Conso, France’s official consumer safety platform, involved undeclared allergens—milk and eggs—in the Vegetable Flavour variant, posing risks to individuals with allergies or intolerances. The agency emphasized that the product does not originate from Nigeria and is not approved for sale.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, stated:
“The Indomie noodles vegetable flavour in question is not registered with NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.”

READ ALSO:

• US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals
• Oyo town agog as Alaafin Confers ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ Title on Seyi Tinubu
• Akpabio Heads to Supreme Court Over Appeal Court Ruling on Natasha’s Suspension

The agency highlighted that noodle imports are on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List, making it illegal to bring such products into the country. To safeguard public health, NAFDAC has intensified nationwide surveillance, directing zonal directors, state coordinators, and Ports Inspection authorities to prevent any circulation of the recalled product.

The agency further assured that all Indomie noodles produced in Nigeria are locally manufactured, strictly regulated, and comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Consumers are advised to report any suspected sale or adverse reactions via NAFDAC’s toll-free number 0800-162-3322 or its e-reporting platforms.

In a separate statement, Indomie Nigeria confirmed that the company does not manufacture, import, or sell the Vegetable Flavour variant in Nigeria, stressing that all locally made Indomie noodles are safe for consumption. The company warned against purchasing noodles with unfamiliar packaging and urged reliance on official sources for verified information.

Both NAFDAC and Indomie Nigeria appealed for public calm, reiterating that Nigerian-produced Indomie noodles remain safe, unaffected, and compliant with regulatory standards.

NAFDAC Assures Nigerians: Locally Made Indomie Noodles Safe Amid French Recall Alert

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.

READ ALSO:

• Oyo town agog as Alaafin Confer ‘Okanlomo of Yorubaland’ Title on Seyi Tinubu
• Akpabio Heads to Supreme Court Over Appeal Court Ruling on Natasha’s Suspension
• Why HURIWA Withdrew Its Man of the Year Award from Governor Alex Otti

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