Between 2017 and March 31, 2025, at least 15,421 nurses and midwives trained in Nigeria have obtained licenses to practice in the United Kingdom.
This figure comes from the most recent data released by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), as obtained by a Punch correspondent.
The NMC, which oversees the registration and regulation of nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK, reported that the number of Nigerian-trained health professionals stood at 14,815 as of September 30, 2024. By March 31, 2025, that number had risen to 15,421, a 4.1% increase.
According to findings, Nigeria remains the third-largest contributor of foreign-trained nurses to the United Kingdom, following the Philippines and India.
The latest report revealed that 20,671 overseas-trained professionals joined the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register for the first time in the past year. This figure marks a decline of 8,957, or 30.2%, compared to the previous year, which saw 29,628 international joiners between April 2023 and March 2024.
The council noted …
“The number of joiners who were educated in these three countries fell by 36.7 per cent, 47.6 per cent and 25.5 per cent respectively, over the past year.
Additionally, a total of 5,276 international professionals left the register during this period – 33.3 per cent (1,317) more than the previous year (3,959). That said, it is important to consider leavers data in the context of a growing register – 2.7 per cent of the international cohort left the register over the last year, which is a marginal rise compared to 2.4 per cent the year before. Factors may include changes for professionals on the Health and Care Worker visa.
There has also been greater emphasis on domestic recruitment in England under the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Additionally, analysis of our data by the Health Foundation found a significant rise in international professionals on the NMC register seeking to move to other countries, drawn mainly by the prospect of better earnings potential.”
The report noted that although there has been a steady increase in the number of UK-educated professionals joining the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register, the growth has not been fast enough to offset the decline in international recruitment. This shortfall has contributed to a slower overall expansion of the register in the past year.
It also pointed out a continued upward trend in the representation of professionals from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds on the register, indicating increasing diversity within the UK’s nursing and midwifery workforce.
These professionals now account for just under a third of everyone on the register (32.5 per cent, compared to 30.6 per cent on 31 March 2024).
This makes it more important than ever that professionals can practise in an environment that values diversity and tackles racism. As the professional regulator, we also have a responsibility to deliver fair outcomes and positive experiences for everyone on our register, regardless of their background or characteristics.”
