Brain Drain: Thousands of Nigerian doctors move abroad

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says more than 50,000 Nigerian doctors are currently working abroad.

The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, made this known during a visit to Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna.

He explained that there are now more Nigerian doctors working outside the country than those practicing within Nigeria.

According to him, this shows that Nigeria trains highly skilled doctors who are in demand worldwide.

He said many foreign countries come directly to Nigeria to recruit doctors, sometimes even when the doctors did not apply to work abroad.

Professor Audu also spoke about “internal migration,” where doctors move from one hospital or institution to another within Nigeria in search of better welfare and working conditions. He praised the Nigerian military for providing good healthcare services to its personnel, even those serving on the frontlines.

He commended the military’s efforts in fighting terrorism and encouraged doctors to consider joining the armed forces. He noted that, globally, the military often plays an important role in medical research and healthcare development.

The NMA president described the medical facility at Kalapanzi Barracks as excellent, saying it was very neat, well-organized, and comfortable for patients. He added that the environment gives patients a sense of wellness immediately they arrive.

In his response, the Commanding Officer of the 312 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel I.J. Ufua, thanked the association for the visit and expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration, especially as Nigeria continues its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

He said the military looks forward to deeper partnerships that will improve healthcare services for personnel and the nation at large.