Nwaogu, like hundreds of other Nigerians, left amid a brain drain that is punishing even for a nation used to losing its young and educated. "We have serious doubts if this is the time for that hope to blossom," he said before flying to the UK last month. "We are witnessing an epidemic of brain drain," said Dr Dare Godiya Ishaya, president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). But British government data showed a 300% increase in Nigerians getting UK work visas in the year to June, to 15,772. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting By Libby George; Editing by Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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