Nigeria's Doctor Exodus and Hospital Strikes — 2026-09-25
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LASUTH resident doctors are signalling they may suspend their indefinite strike today, with NARD backing their demands and calling on Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene. Meanwhile, two fresh datasets confirm the scale of the exodus: over 20,000 Nigerian health workers relocated abroad within a year, while the UK NHS now employs 10,494 Nigerian nationals.
Nigeria's Doctor Exodus and Hospital Strikes — 2026-09-25
Top developments
LASUTH doctors may suspend strike today
The Association of Resident Doctors at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH-ARD) signalled on 24 September that it may suspend its indefinite strike over unpaid allowances, after weeks of disruption at one of Nigeria's busiest tertiary hospitals. The group had insisted it would not resume until the Lagos government addressed its welfare demands, citing unpaid allowances and slow implementation of previously agreed welfare measures.
NARD backs LASUTH strike, demands Sanwo-Olu intervention
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared support for the LASUTH doctors' indefinite strike — which it says stems from 25 months' arrears of specialist allowance, plus unpaid salary and advancement dues — urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the state Ministry of Health to intervene urgently to prevent further disruption of medical services.
Over 20,966 health workers relocated abroad in one year
Nigeria's brain drain remains a severe crisis: an estimated 20,966 Nigerian health workers relocated abroad within a single year, per UK GMC-linked reporting highlighted by AIT this week. The figure comes squarely against the backdrop of empty wards and strike actions across teaching hospitals.
NHS now employs 10,494 Nigerians; 4,691 new doctor registrants in three years
Fresh GMC data shows 10,494 Nigerian nationals work in the UK NHS — 3,919 doctors, 7,487 nurses and midwives — making Nigerians the sixth-largest foreign nationality group. Separately, 4,691 Nigerian-trained doctors joined the UK medical register between May 2023 and April 2026. For context, Nigeria has 95,456 registered doctors, of whom only 60,551 hold active licences.
NARD praises Cross River healthcare reforms
On 25 September, NARD's outgoing National President Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman commended the Cross River State Government for reforms aimed at improving the welfare of medical professionals — a rare positive signal pointing toward retention-by-reform rather than strikes.
Local view
BBC News Hausa (6 September week) reported on the "five countries whose neighbours' doctors have dominated Europe," noting Nigeria's enormous contribution to UK healthcare even as Hausa-language coverage stresses growing worry over Nigeria's own workforce shortage. Leadership Hausa has also been covering the low-pay exodus theme in Hausa, framing wages as the core driver.
Context & numbers
- 20,966 Nigerian health workers left the country within one year
- 10,494 Nigerians in NHS: 3,919 doctors; 7,487 nurses and midwives
- 4,691 Nigerian-trained doctors joined the UK register May 2023–April 2026
- Nigeria: 95,456 registered doctors; 60,551 with active licences
On the radar
- Watch for LASUTH-ARD's formal suspension announcement and terms following today's meeting signals.
- Watch whether NARD's appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu produces a Lagos-level wage/allowance package, which could become a template other states replicate.
- NARD leadership transition: outgoing president Suleiman's Cross River comments hint at a shift toward state-level welfare deals; watch the incoming national executive's strike posture.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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