Nigeria TV Info 

Healthcare Crisis: Urgent Measures Needed to Address Mass Migration of Nigerian Doctors

Lagos, Nigeria — September 25, 2025

The Nigerian healthcare system is facing a critical shortage of medical professionals, with over 30,000 doctors having migrated abroad in recent years. This exodus, driven by factors such as poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, and limited career advancement opportunities, has exacerbated the nation's healthcare crisis. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) have called on the government to implement urgent reforms to retain healthcare professionals and ensure quality healthcare delivery.

Key Factors Driving Medical Brain Drain

According to Dr. Tope Osundara, President of NARD, the primary drivers of medical brain drain include:

• Poor Remuneration: Inadequate salaries and delayed payments have led many healthcare workers to seek better financial opportunities abroad.

• Exhaustive Working Conditions: Overburdened healthcare facilities and understaffed departments have resulted in increased workloads and stress for medical professionals.

• Lack of Career Advancement: Limited opportunities for professional development and specialization within the country have prompted many to pursue careers overseas.

These factors have not only led to a depletion of skilled personnel but have also compromised the quality of healthcare services available to the Nigerian populace.

Government's Response and Proposed Solutions

In response to the escalating crisis, the Nigerian House of Representatives has proposed a bill mandating Nigerian-trained medical professionals to serve in the country for a minimum of five years before being granted full practicing licenses. While this initiative aims to retain healthcare workers, it has faced criticism from professional bodies, including the NMA, which argue that the legislation fails to address the root causes of migration, such as poor working conditions and inadequate compensation.

Stakeholders have emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms, including:

• Improved Remuneration: Enhancing salaries and ensuring timely payment to healthcare workers.

• Better Working Conditions: Upgrading healthcare facilities and reducing workloads to prevent burnout.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Providing avenues for specialization and career advancement within the country.

• Increased Investment in Healthcare: Allocating more resources to the health sector to improve infrastructure and services.

Experts argue that addressing these fundamental issues is crucial to reversing the trend of medical brain drain and ensuring the sustainability of the Nigerian healthcare system.

Conclusion

The mass migration of Nigerian doctors poses a significant threat to the nation's healthcare system. While legislative measures have been proposed, they must be accompanied by substantial reforms targeting the underlying causes of migration. Only through comprehensive and sustained efforts can Nigeria hope to retain its medical professionals and provide quality healthcare to its citizens.