Strengthening Nigeria’s Health Workforce to Achieve Universal Health Coverage: A Policy Brief

AbstractObjective: This policy brief highlights the urgent challenges facing Nigeria’s health workforce, including high rates of emigration, limited retention, and uneven distribution, factors significantly undermining the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Universal Health Coverage, UHC). With a projected global shortage of over 8 million health workers by 2030 and Nigeria’s ratio falling below 2.5 workers per 1,000 population, this brief proposes actionable, evidence-based solutions to improve health workforce sustainability, equity, and resilience.Background: Nigeria’s healthcare system faces serious constraints due to a declining health workforce, worsened by poor sector investment and inadequate policy implementation. These challenges threaten progress toward UHC. In line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, substantial investment in the health workforce is needed to secure sustainable health system performance and development.Methods:Following the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) model , this policy brief employed a seven-step framework: define, search, appraise, synthesize, adapt, implement, and evaluate. High-quality evidence was synthesized and adapted to Nigeria’s context to inform feasible policy options.Results: Six priority options were identified: blended payment models, education and training reforms, equitable recruitment and deployment strategies, task-sharing initiatives, stronger health information platforms, and comprehensive retention and motivation schemes.Conclusions: Implementing these strategies with proper monitoring and biennial reviews will reinforce Nigeria’s health workforce and advance SDG 3. Long-term commitment, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-driven advocacy are critical for fostering an equitable, resilient healthcare system.