Nigeria has lost at least 4,691 doctors to the United Kingdom since May 2023, deepening concerns over a worsening healthcare workforce crisis.
Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing renewed pressure following fresh data showing that no fewer than 4,691 doctors have relocated to the United Kingdom since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023. Figures from the General Medical Council indicate that the total number of Nigeria-trained doctors currently practising in the UK has risen to about 15,692, making Nigeria one of the largest sources of foreign-trained doctors in Britain, second only to India. The mass migration represents both a human resource crisis and a significant economic loss for the country.
With the Federal Government estimating that it costs about $21,000 to train a single doctor, Nigeria is believed to have lost at least $98.5 million in training investments within less than two years. The latest figures also show a sharp increase from just over 11,000 Nigerian-trained doctors practising in the UK as of May 28, 2025. The trend comes as Nigeria’s doctor-to-population ratio remains around 3.9 per 10,000 people, far below the benchmark recommended by the World Health Organisation, raising concerns about the sustainability of healthcare delivery.
Medical bodies have consistently attributed the exodus to poor working conditions and inadequate incentives. The Nigerian Medical Association said, “Our members are overworked, underpaid and exposed to unsafe environments daily. Many are simply burnt out,” while the National Association of Resident Doctors added that “Doctors are leaving because the system is failing them—irregular salaries, excessive workload, and lack of training opportunities.” Despite the growing shortage, Nigerians continue to spend heavily on medical treatment abroad, further highlighting structural challenges within the country’s healthcare system.