Nigeria’s healthcare sector has taken centre stage again after the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) disclosed that more than 50,000 Nigerian-trained doctors are currently practising medicine outside the country, raising concerns about the continued migration of medical professionals. 

The NMA made this announcement during a courtesy visit by its National President, Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, to the Nigerian Army’s Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna. According to him, the figure reflects an ongoing trend where Nigerian medical graduates seek opportunities abroad due to better working conditions and welfare packages offered in other countries. 

Professor Audu explained that the number of doctors practising outside Nigeria now surpasses those working within the country. This trend signals a significant outflow of skilled healthcare workers that could impact the delivery of quality healthcare services at home. 

The NMA president emphasised that countries around the world have high regard for the quality of medical training Nigerian doctors receive. He described the situation as both a reflection of the strength of Nigerian medical education and a worry because it highlights the difficulty of retaining trained professionals in the local healthcare system. 

According to NMA officials, one reason behind this mass migration is the attractive remuneration, improved working conditions and structured career growth available to doctors in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Gulf states. Many Nigerian medical professionals feel compelled to seek these opportunities as they struggle with low wages and limited resources at home. 

The migration of doctors has contributed to an ongoing shortage of medical professionals in Nigeria’s public health sector. Recent reports suggest that only a fraction of doctors trained in Nigeria remain actively practising in the country due to the high rate of emigration. 

Nigeria has been grappling with the emigration of medical professionals for many years, a situation commonly described as brain drain. With better pay, modern facilities and more structured healthcare systems abroad, many Nigerian-trained doctors choose to pursue careers overseas. 

The trend is not limited to Nigeria. Many developing nations struggle to retain healthcare workers, but Nigeria’s case is especially significant given its large population and relatively limited number of doctors per person. A report indicates that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains far below the World Health Organization recommendation, making the mass departure of doctors even more worrying. 

In addition, recent statistics show that large numbers of Nigerian doctors have registered to practice abroad in recent years. For example, the United Kingdom’s medical register listed thousands of Nigerian-trained physicians approved to work across the UK. These figures underline the scale of the global demand for Nigerian medical talent. 

The presence of many Nigerian-trained doctors abroad has a direct impact on local healthcare services. Hospitals and clinics in Nigeria have reported staff shortages, particularly in specialised fields where trained professionals are often in short supply. A lack of experienced doctors can lead to longer waiting times for patients, reduced quality of care and increased workload on remaining staff.

The shortage has prompted discussions among healthcare stakeholders and policymakers about how to improve conditions for doctors in Nigeria. Experts have called for better remuneration, improved work environments, and policies that support medical practitioners’ professional growth if the trend is to be halted.

Some initiatives have emerged aimed at addressing the migration of medical professionals. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has developed policies focused on healthcare worker migration and retention. These initiatives seek to create incentives that encourage doctors to work and remain in Nigeria. 

However, experts say that more decisive action is needed to make a substantial difference. They urge collaboration between government, professional associations and private sector partners to create meaningful reforms that improve working conditions and make practising medicine in Nigeria more attractive.

The disclosure by the NMA adds urgency to the conversation about Nigeria’s healthcare workforce and highlights the need for strategies that can help stabilise the medical profession within the country.