The United Kingdom has placed Nigeria on the red list of countries that should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers. This decision follows, by one month, the World Health Organization’s identification of 55 countries—including Nigeria—facing the most pressing health‑workforce challenges related to Universal Health Coverage.
The UK government states that Nigeria and other red‑list countries should not be actively targeted for recruitment unless a government‑to‑government agreement is in place. The UK’s “Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health and Social Care Personnel in England” explains that country identification follows the methodology of the 10‑year review of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Consistent with WHO principles, the listed countries are to be prioritised for health‑personnel development and health‑system support, while safeguards discourage active international recruitment.
According to the code, countries on the red list must not be targeted by health and social care employers, recruitment organisations, agencies, collaborations, or contracting bodies unless a government‑to‑government agreement permits managed recruitment that strictly complies with the agreement’s terms. If such an agreement is established, the country moves to the amber list. Countries not on the red or amber lists are classified as green.
The amber‑list countries, where international recruitment is permitted only under the terms of a government‑to‑government agreement, are Kenya and Nepal. Active recruitment is allowed from green‑graded countries that have a government‑to‑government agreement with the UK for international health and care workforce recruitment. Green‑graded countries without such an agreement are not published in the code of practice for England.
The government‑to‑government agreement may set parameters—implemented by the country of origin—for how UK employers, contracting bodies, recruitment organisations, agencies, and collaborations recruit. These organisations are encouraged to recruit on the terms of the agreement. The green‑country list will be updated as new agreements are signed, and employers are advised to check the list regularly before launching any recruitment campaign. Currently, green‑graded countries with a government‑to‑government agreement for managing international health and care workforce recruitment include India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
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