Interrogating Brain Drain and The Migration of Nigeria Healthcare Professionals to the United States

The migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals has become an important human capital and health system challenge, particularly as Nigeria continues to experience shortages of skilled healthcare workers. This study examined the factors influencing the migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals to the United States and the implications of such migration for healthcare service delivery and human capital development in Nigeria. A structured secondary research design was adopted. Empirical studies examining Nigerian healthcare professionals’ migration intention, destination preference, actual migration patterns, and workforce-related outcomes were identified through a systematic literature search process. Relevant studies were synthesised using descriptive analysis, with findings grouped according to migration intention, destination preference, and confirmed migration outcomes. The findings showed that migration decisions among Nigerian healthcare professionals were associated with multiple interacting factors, including professional development opportunities, access to advanced medical equipment, career progression, insecurity, remuneration, and quality-of-life considerations. The United States emerged as an important destination among Nigerian healthcare professionals because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure, specialist training opportunities, and professional advancement pathways. However, evidence differed according to population group and migration outcome. Among intending migrants, the United States represented a preferred destination, while among already migrated professionals, it represented one of several destination choices. The findings suggest that healthcare workforce migration from Nigeria should not be understood solely as an individual career decision but as a broader structural human capital challenge involving domestic healthcare conditions and international demand for skilled professionals. Addressing healthcare brain drain requires improved professional development opportunities, stronger healthcare infrastructure, retention incentives, and constructive engagement with Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora.

Healthcare migration; brain drain; Nigeria; United States; human capital; healthcare workforce retention

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