Increase in Healthcare Workers Migrating to the UK from Nigeria

Nigeria has seen a significant increase in healthcare workers migrating to the UK, with 18,224 granted visas in one year. This is the largest percentage increase in Africa’s largest economy, behind Zimbabwe and India. Nigeria’s number of dependents granted health and care work visas also grew by 329%.

The rise in healthcare workers to the UK is attributed to the country’s cheap and easy entry migration requirements, which are facing a severe shortage of healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK has been a net importer of healthcare professionals, with the Conservative government pledging to increase nurse numbers and offer additional cost of living support.

However, the country has also announced a health and care visa policy to make it cheaper, quicker, and easier for healthcare professionals to migrate to the UK. The ‘japa’ wave, a mass exodus of talent, has led to a dearth of skilled workers in the health sector.