Nigerian doctors: More than 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country in the last five to seven years in search of better opportunities abroad, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate.
Speaking at the 7th annual workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) held in Abuja, Pate said the growing migration of healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, and midwives—has seriously weakened Nigeria’s health system, leaving many hospitals, especially in rural areas, severely understaffed.
He explained that this trend, while driven by better job conditions overseas, is costing Nigeria more than just skilled manpower. “It’s a financial loss too,” Pate said. “Training just one doctor in Nigeria costs over $21,000, and when they leave, that investment goes with them.”
Nigerian doctors: However, the minister noted that this challenge also presents a chance for meaningful reform. He said the Federal Government is now pursuing a policy direction that recognises the rights of health workers to seek global opportunities while ensuring Nigeria retains a functional and motivated health workforce.
Nigerian doctors: He cited the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration as a key step in this direction—focusing on retaining skilled workers, improving working conditions, creating ethical recruitment systems, and building stronger training and data structures.
Pate also called for stronger cooperation among African nations to tackle the problem together. He urged leaders to jointly create a continental system for health training, accreditation, and regulation to better manage mobility across the region.
Other speakers at the workshop, including AMCOA President Prof. Joel Okullo and MDCN leaders Dr. Fatima Kyari and Prof. Afolabi Lesi, echoed the need for collaboration, better regulation, and a united healthcare workforce that prioritises patient care over internal divisions.
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