Health Minister Highlights Migration Impact: 67% of Nigerian Doctors in the UK

Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has disclosed that approximately 67% of Nigerian doctors are practicing in the United Kingdom. This statistic underscores the substantial impact of health professional migration on both Nigeria and the countries employing these professionals.

During his interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Pate emphasized the global demand for Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses. He highlighted that the UK's National Health Service (NHS) relies heavily on Nigerian health workers, with 25% of its workforce originating from Nigeria. The minister suggested that the NHS and other countries benefiting from Nigerian healthcare professionals should consider supporting and expanding pre-service education programs in Nigeria. This approach, he argued, would help mitigate the effects of health worker migration and contribute to balancing the flow of professionals with local training efforts.

Pate proposed, “Countries that recruit our health professionals should also have a role in enhancing our training infrastructure. The migration of health workers is a persistent issue, and we need strategies to manage it effectively.”

He also pointed out that over 75% of health workers trained in Nigeria over the past year have sought opportunities abroad. While acknowledging that the government cannot impose restrictions on migration, Pate stressed the importance of creating a more supportive environment to retain health workers and attract those who have left to return.

“We recognize that migration is a reality and we will focus on making our environment more appealing to health professionals. Our goal is to improve conditions to encourage them to stay and to incentivize those abroad to return,” Pate added.