The Federal Government has called on newly inducted medical and dental graduates who received their training abroad to resist the urge to migrate in search of opportunities outside the country. Instead, they are encouraged to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the development and improvement of the nation’s healthcare sector.
This plea was made during an induction ceremony held in Abuja yesterday, where 622 foreign-trained medical and dental graduates were officially welcomed into the medical profession. The event was organized by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
During the ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom. In his address, Kachollom emphasized the critical role of healthcare professionals in the nation’s development and urged the inductees to embody qualities such as empathy, resilience, and adaptability in their practice. These attributes, he explained, are essential in meeting the healthcare needs of Nigerians and addressing the challenges currently facing the country’s health sector.
Problems Facing The Nigerian Healthcare System
Kachollom acknowledged the longstanding issues that have plagued the Nigerian healthcare system, including frequent complaints from citizens about the quality of services available. He reassured the graduates that the government is actively working to improve the system by prioritizing initiatives aimed at providing quality healthcare, ensuring patient safety, and fostering an environment where healthcare professionals can thrive.
The ceremony saw the induction of 622 foreign-trained medical practitioners into the profession, consisting of 606 medical doctors and 16 dentists. This milestone is expected to bolster the number of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, a country that has been grappling with a significant shortage of medical personnel. For instance, the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has revealed that there are fewer than 200 psychiatrists currently available to cater to the mental health needs of Nigeria’s population, which exceeds 200 million people.
The appeal from the government highlights the critical need for medical and dental practitioners to remain in Nigeria, as the nation continues to contend with a healthcare workforce deficit. The contributions of these newly inducted professionals are seen as vital to addressing this challenge and advancing the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The Federal Government has urged newly inducted medical and dental graduates who trained abroad to resist the temptation of emigrating for better opportunities overseas, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon. Instead, they were encouraged to remain in Nigeria and contribute to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. This appeal was made during the induction ceremony of 622 foreign-trained doctors and dentists held in Abuja, an event organized by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Remarks From The Registrar of MDCN
In her address, Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar of MDCN, commended the graduates on their achievements and highlighted the importance of their diverse training experiences. She emphasized that these experiences could inject innovative perspectives into the Nigerian healthcare system. Similarly, Daju Kachollom, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, reiterated the need for healthcare professionals to embody resilience, adaptability, and empathy as they face the challenges of the sector.
This plea comes amidst a severe shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) revealed that fewer than 200 psychiatrists are currently available to address the mental health needs of Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens. Speaking at the APN’s 55th annual general conference in Ilorin, Kwara State, its president, Taiwo Obindo, attributed the shortage largely to the “Japa syndrome,” which has seen many professionals leave the country in search of better opportunities. Obindo warned that this mass emigration has left remaining practitioners overstretched and underpaid, exacerbating an already critical situation.
Obindo criticised the government’s insufficient attention to mental health, pointing out that in other countries, such as Canada, mental health is overseen by a dedicated ministry. In Nigeria, however, it remains a sub-program under the public health department. He also lamented the inadequate budgetary allocation to healthcare, which currently stands at less than 6% of the national budget—far below the 15% minimum agreed upon in the Abuja Declaration of 2001.
The economic implications of mass emigration were highlighted during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) 2024 Secondary Schools Essay Competition and Prize-Giving Ceremony in Lagos. LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa noted that between 2020 and 2023, over 900,000 Nigerians, particularly young professionals and graduates, emigrated to countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He cited reports showing that over 10,000 Nigerian doctors left the country between 2022 and 2023 alone, leaving the nation with a doctor-to-patient ratio far below the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
What Nigerians in Diaspora Enjoy
Idahosa acknowledged the benefits of remittances from Nigerians abroad, which reached $24 billion in 2023, as well as the contributions of returning professionals who bring global networks, skills, and investments. However, he stressed the urgent need for policies that address the root causes of emigration. He called for increased investment in job creation, fair compensation, and skill development to provide local opportunities that would encourage young professionals to stay.
On the international front, migration trends are also raising concerns in the United Kingdom, where net migration has reached a record high. The UK government reported that net migration grew nearly fivefold over four years to nearly one million. Recent visa restrictions, including limits on family members accompanying students, have led to significant declines in immigration from countries like Nigeria and India.
In a related development, Marc Owen, Director of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), visited Nigeria to strengthen UK-Nigeria relations and enhance visa services. During his meetings with key stakeholders, Owen emphasized the importance of digitizing records, combating visa fraud, and maintaining trust in the visa process. He also toured facilities like the UK Visa Application Centre in Lagos and engaged with business leaders and education agents to address issues affecting Nigerian applicants.
Owen’s visit marked a new phase in collaboration between the two nations, with a focus on improving service delivery and addressing challenges such as fraudulent applications. Both countries aim to enhance their partnership for mutual benefit, particularly in areas like migration and development.
