Once again the federal government has raised an alarm over the increasing number of healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, citing serious implications for the country’s already strained health system.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the seventh annual capacity-building workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA), the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, revealed that more than 16,000 doctors have left Nigeria in the past seven years.
Pate said the country’s doctor-to-population ratio now stands at 3.9 per 10,000 people—well below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum.
He estimated that training a single doctor costs over $21,000, translating to a significant financial loss with each departure.
“This trend is not just about migration. It’s about the public investment walking out of our borders, and the deepening strain on rural communities already suffering from limited healthcare access,” he said.
He attributed the exodus to poor working conditions, limited economic opportunities, and the pursuit of advanced medical training abroad, noting that while migration is a global reality, the pace has quickened in recent years, especially among nurses and midwives.
To address the crisis, Pate announced the implementation of a National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, designed to retain healthcare workers while safeguarding their rights to seek employment internationally.
“The policy is data-driven and evidence-based. It is not about restriction, but stewardship—ensuring a sustainable health system while respecting the aspirations of our professionals,” he said.
Key objectives of the policy include motivating health workers in-country, establishing ethical recruitment frameworks, increasing training capacity, and enabling reintegration for professionals returning home.
AMCOA President, Prof. Joel Okullo, emphasized the need for continental cooperation in tackling the health workforce crisis, calling for stronger regulation, leadership, and data systems to address challenges in credentialing and professional mobility.
“Our discussions this week will shape strategies that empower regulators across Africa. Through collaboration, we can build a resilient and responsive healthcare system,” Okullo said.
