Journal Article

Exploring the emigration intentions of Nigerian medical and nursing students: factors driving migration and implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system

Adu, Samuel Jesutominsin, Anyanwu, Christopher Ebubechukwu, Fatola, Ayomide Olawunmi, Babangida, Yusuf Mustapha, Sulaiman, Muhammad Bakir, Mikail, Mikail Muhammad, Akoki, David Mobolaji, Musa, Ibrahim, Adesola, Adeniyi Abraham, Abimbola, Aderonke Olamide, Oyedokun, Abigail Olawumi, Olu-Ajayi, Boluwatife Israel, Oyoyo, Henry Demian, Yousuo, Ayebamiebi Lawrence

2025

Overview

Background The emigration of healthcare professionals significantly contributes to brain drain within Nigeria’s healthcare sector, exacerbating existing workforce shortages. This study investigates the emigration intentions of Nigerian medical and nursing students, focusing on preferred destinations, key motivating factors, and the potential long-term consequences for the nation’s healthcare system. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical and nursing students from six universities, purposefully selected to represent Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. A total of 2,152 students (Medicine and Surgery = 1254; Nursing = 898) participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire and analysed with IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were applied, with statistical significance set at p  < 0.05. Results 72.9% of students expressed intentions to practice abroad, primarily seeking specialist training within the first five years post-graduation (97.7%). Alarmingly, 32.7% had no intention of ever returning to Nigeria, while only 11.7% of those intending to stay intend to leave after completing specialist training. The top three emigration destinations were the United States (28.5%), the United Kingdom (24.6%), and Canada (23.1%). The main drivers of emigration included better training opportunities (75.2%), access to advanced equipment (61.1%), and improved career prospects (56.7%). Respondents predicted negative impacts on Nigeria’s healthcare system, including increased mortality rates and potential system collapse. Conclusion The findings reveal a high propensity for emigration among Nigerian medical and nursing students, with significant implications for the country’s healthcare system. The study underscores the urgent need for policy interventions that address systemic challenges such as inadequate resources, poor working conditions, remuneration and career development opportunities. Strengthening local training conditions and offering competitive incentives may help mitigate the brain drain and ensure a sustainable healthcare workforce in Nigeria.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Age / Brain drain / Careers / Christianity / Colleges & universities / Compensation (Remuneration) / Cross-Sectional Studies / Data Analysis / Data collection / Delivery of Health Care / Departments / Developed Nations / Education / Educational Opportunities / Educational Trends / Emigration / Emigration and Immigration - statistics & numerical data / Emigration destinations / Emigration impacts / Emigration intentions / Ethics / Ethnic Groups / Female / Geopolitics / Graduate Students / Health aspects / Health care policy / Health Services / Healthcare / Hospitals / Humans / Intention / Labor Force / Male / Medical and nursing students / Medical Education / Medical Evaluation / Medical personnel / Medical Services / Medical students / Medicine / Midwifery / Migration / Migration Patterns / Nigeria / Nursing education / Nursing Students / Obstetrics / Overseas Employment / Participant Characteristics / Patriotism / Physicians / Population / Professional development / Professional ethics / Professionals / Quality of life / Questionnaires / Schools / Sociodemographics / Students, Medical - psychology / Students, Medical - statistics & numerical data / Students, Nursing - psychology / Students, Nursing - statistics & numerical data / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Theory of Medicine/Bioethics / Workforce / Working conditions / Young Adult