Tinubu seeks to stem Nigerian doctors’ exodus
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu wants to stem the departure of doctors and other health professionals abroad by strengthening recruitment, training and working conditions. More than 30,000 professionals have been recruited into federal facilities in two and a half years, he said, according to Punch.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu wants to intensify measures aimed at stemming the departure of doctors and other health professionals abroad by encouraging their return to Nigeria. He announced this policy on Monday in Abuja through the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, at the opening ceremony of the 50th annual scientific conference of the West African College of Physicians, Punch reports.
The federal government recruited more than 30,000 health professionals into its facilities over the previous two and a half years, according to Bola Tinubu. The president also referred to the training of thousands of frontline health workers, the strengthening of specialised medical facilities and the doubling of medical training quotas.
Bola Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to strengthen disease surveillance and regional cooperation in response to infections, including Ebola, as an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain is affecting parts of Africa. He said the reforms would also cover health infrastructure, health insurance coverage and primary healthcare.
The announcement comes three days after Tinubu called on West African doctors to prevent Ebola, on 23 October 2026.
