Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have called for urgent improvements in doctors’ welfare to curb the persistent migration of medical professionals abroad. The call was made at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), held in Abuja under the theme, “Strengthening Nigeria’s system: the role of resident doctors in an era of global mobility.”
Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, and Secretary-General of the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria, said workforce retention has become a major concern for health authorities, given the high cost and long duration involved in training medical professionals.
“Training each professional workforce is very expensive and time-consuming. Countries are now protecting their investments in training as populations grow and health demands increase,” he said.
Prof. Ibekwe noted that even developed countries struggle to meet healthcare manpower needs. He said efforts were ongoing to strengthen Nigeria’s health system through improved welfare packages, better conditions of service, and the provision of modern tools to enable doctors to perform optimally. “Support will continue for those who genuinely want to stay back and serve,” he added, while highlighting collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education to expand medical schools and train more personnel.
Dr. Emeka Ayogu, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, warned that the growing number of Nigerian doctors working abroad, particularly in Canada, poses a serious challenge to the country’s healthcare system.
“When you look at the number of Nigerian doctors working abroad, one marvels at it. Something urgent must be done to discourage further migration,” he said. Dr. Ayogu urged authorities to improve doctors’ welfare, remuneration, and working conditions, while also calling on medical practitioners to uphold professionalism.
The keynote presentation, delivered on behalf of Dr. Yusuf Gazali, Managing Director of Police Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) Ltd., by Mr. Yakubu Enape, Head of Human Resources and Staff Development, emphasised that the continued migration of trained doctors undermines Nigeria’s health system and erodes investment in medical education.
“Allowing other countries to benefit from Nigeria’s investment in training our doctors will weaken our health system,” Dr. Gazali said.
Other speakers, including Prof. Dike Ojji, Director of the Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), University of Abuja, encouraged doctors to reconsider relocating abroad. In his presentation, “Beyond japa: creating a future worth staying for,” Prof. Ojji said doctors who invest in their country would ultimately reap greater rewards.
“The years spent in medical school give you knowledge, privilege, and leadership capacity. You are meant to touch lives,” he said.
Similarly, Prof. Gazama Amos, of the Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, urged doctors to develop leadership qualities and entrepreneurial skills to improve earning potential and achieve self-actualisation.
“You must be productive and hardworking. Build the attitude of a leader and be in the right market,” he advised, speaking on “From physicians’ strikes, tenure elongation, and brain drain to self-actualisation via entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, President of ARD-UATH, thanked senior colleagues and stakeholders for their presence and support at the AGM and Scientific Conference.
