A fresh wave of migration by Nigerian nurses in search of better pay and working conditions abroad is drawing renewed attention to the stark wage disparities and policy failures plaguing the nation’s healthcare sector. The growing exodus has ignited fierce debate within government circles, the healthcare community, and across social media platforms.
The conversation took center stage again today after Pulse Nigeria posed a provocative question on X (formerly Twitter): “How much do Nigerian nurses really earn abroad compared to at home?” This question reflects a harsh reality many Nigerian nurses face—whether to remain in a system that pays them poorly or seek greener pastures overseas.
Widening Pay Gap Drives ‘Japa’ Movement
Under Nigeria’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), entry-level nurses at grade level 07 typically earn between ₦100,000 and ₦150,000 ($60-$90) monthly. By contrast, their counterparts in the United Kingdom’s NHS earn about £28,407 annually ($35,660)—roughly ₦3.6 million to ₦4.4 million per month at today’s exchange rate of ₦1,450 to £1. In the United States, nurses reportedly earn upwards of $6,000 monthly (₦7.5 million), while those in Canada and Saudi Arabia enjoy similar packages, often enhanced by tax-free salaries, housing benefits, and other allowances.
Even after factoring in higher living costs abroad, the financial incentives remain overwhelmingly in favor of migration. This reality is fueling the continued rise of Nigeria’s so-called “japa” movement—a slang term describing the act of emigrating for better prospects.
Policy Response Sparks Outcry
In an attempt to slow the exodus, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) introduced a controversial regulation in February 2024. The new policy mandates that newly qualified nurses must work within Nigeria for a minimum of two years before they can obtain license verification for overseas employment. Previously, this verification process took as little as two weeks. Now, it requires a six-month waiting period and a character reference from the nurse’s employer.
The policy has been met with widespread backlash from the healthcare community. Protests broke out in Lagos and other cities, with nurses arguing that the government is effectively blocking their access to life-changing opportunities.
“This is a country that trained us, but it cannot pay us,” one protesting nurse said, capturing the growing frustration within the profession.
The federal government defends the new policy, citing the need to combat fraudulent documentation and retain healthcare talent. However, critics argue the measures do little to address the root causes—low pay, poor infrastructure, and lack of career advancement.
Healthcare System Under Strain
The consequences of this mass migration are already visible. Nigeria’s healthcare system is crumbling under the weight of staff shortages. With a maternal mortality rate of 555 deaths per 100,000 births, far higher than many peer nations, the exodus of experienced nurses further threatens public health, especially in underserved rural areas.
Anthony Nsiah-Asare, a presidential adviser on health, admitted that Nigeria cannot compete with the salaries offered by Western countries.
“We simply don’t have the resources to match what the UK or US can offer,” he said, pointing to a challenge that cannot be solved by policy restrictions alone.
Experts believe that addressing pay structures, offering stable allowances, and providing clear career growth opportunities are necessary steps to retain talent. However, the government’s decision to scrap a tuition-offset scheme seven years ago has only worsened the backlog of unemployed, underpaid nurses.
A Continental Problem with Local Costs
The “japa” phenomenon is not unique to Nigeria. Across Africa, skilled healthcare workers are migrating to wealthier nations. But in Nigeria’s case, the scale is alarming. Over 16,000 doctors have left the country in the past seven years, and the World Bank estimates Nigeria loses around 5,000 healthcare workers annually to migration.
For many nurses, the decision to leave is not without inner conflict.
“This country gave me my training. Should I just leave and go?” one nurse asked during a recent study on healthcare migration.
As the debate rages on, Pulse Nigeria’s post continues to attract comments from Nigerians expressing frustration, skepticism, and resignation. User @IfeanyiU5567 captured the public mood, writing: “That thing way you dey fyn you go soon see am.”
What Lies Ahead?
Unless meaningful reforms are implemented to address the core grievances of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, the migration trend seems poised to continue. For now, the question remains: Can Nigeria afford to keep losing its nurses, or is the brain drain irreversible?
Only time—and decisive government action—will tell.
