The Impact of Restrictive Policies on Nurse Migration in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Japhet Haruna Jonah1, John Akosile, Reuben Zirahgi Markus
1Japhet Haruna Jonah is deputy program manager at Action Against Hunger, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria. John Akosile is a staff nurse at the Redus Center for Digestive Health, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Reuben Zirahgi Markus is an infection preventionist with Global Mercy Ships, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Danladi Sam Samuel is a nutrition and physical activity officer at the World Health Organization, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria. Mohammed Ibn Abdullahi is studying for a second master's degree in public health at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Gabriel Samuel is an MA student at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany. Edwin A. Akhalola Emmanuel is health and nutrition project manager on the emergency response team at Medair, Juba, Central Equatoria, South Sudan. Cynthia Adeyeri Okafor is a clinical administrative nurse manager at the Limi Children's Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. Contact author: Japhet Haruna Jonah, japhetjonah06@gmail.com. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Background:
The emigration of nurses from low- and middle-income to high-income nations is a global trend, with Nigeria experiencing a significant brain drain in recent years. In response, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) implemented controversial policies, including closing the license verification portal in December 2023, to curtail nurse migration.
Purpose:
This study aimed to ascertain the impact of the license verification portal closure on Nigerian nurses living in the country and abroad. Our objectives were to assess the perceived consequences of this intervention on nurses' professional careers, mental health, and financial status.
Methods:
A quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive design was used to collect data via an electronic questionnaire from 1,838 Nigerian RNs worldwide. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.
Results:
The results showed that 93% of RNs had a negative perception of the portal closure. Moreover, the policy's adverse effects were widespread, with 83% of nurses experiencing career setbacks, 77% reporting mental health issues, and 57% experiencing financial strain.
Conclusions:
The NMCN's approach, aimed at combating nurse migration, negatively impacted Nigerian nurses, leading to potentially serious adverse outcomes for patients and public health. Nations need to avoid implementing coercive restrictive measures to curb nurse migration. Instead, improving professional advancement, remuneration, and career development are recommended as more effective retention strategies.
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