The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has raised concerns over the mass migration of nurses from Nigeria, with over 15,000 leaving the country in 2024 alone. This trend, popularly referred to as “Japa,” highlights the systemic issues driving healthcare professionals out of Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad. The association emphasized that merely increasing nursing student intake without addressing underlying structural problems will exacerbate the shortage of skilled healthcare workers in the country.
NANNM identified several key challenges that need urgent attention from the government, including the creation of a conducive working environment, equipping health facilities, improving remuneration, and implementing the Scheme of Service for nurses. The association also called for centralizing nurse internships and empowering State Nursing and Midwifery Councils to combat quackery in healthcare.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has echoed these concerns, noting that Nigeria trains some of the world’s finest healthcare professionals but struggles to retain them due to poor working conditions and inadequate incentives. He advocated for stronger agreements with countries like the UK to ensure they contribute to the training and infrastructure needs of the countries they recruit from.
This mass migration not only strains Nigeria’s healthcare system but also impacts the broader economy. Efforts to address these challenges are crucial to retaining skilled healthcare workers and ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
