Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing mounting pressure as the mass migration of medical professionals continues to deplete its already limited workforce, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, has warned.
Speaking on Monday at the 2026 United Kingdom Global Health Summit held at the Royal College of Physicians, Salako raised concerns over the growing exodus of Nigerian doctors, nurses, and other health workers—a trend widely referred to as “japa.”
According to the minister, the ongoing migration has significantly worsened manpower shortages across the country, placing enormous strain on Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system. He noted that the loss of skilled professionals is not only affecting service delivery but also undermining the country’s ability to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population.
In his keynote address, a copy of which was made available in Abuja, Salako revealed that Nigeria currently has about four doctors per 10,000 people. This figure falls far below the benchmark set by the World Health Organisation, which recommends a minimum of 10 physicians per 10,000 population.
The gap, he explained, highlights the severity of the crisis and underscores the urgent need for interventions to retain healthcare professionals within the country.
Stakeholders in the health sector have long expressed concern over the persistent migration trend, attributing it to factors such as better working conditions, higher remuneration, and improved career opportunities abroad. The situation has left many public health institutions overstretched, with fewer personnel attending to an increasing number of patients.
Salako emphasized that addressing the crisis would require a multi-faceted approach, including improved welfare for health workers, investment in healthcare infrastructure, and policies aimed at reversing the brain drain.
The minister’s remarks at the global summit have once again drawn international attention to Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, as experts warn that without urgent and sustained action, the country risks further deterioration in service delivery and patient outcomes.
As the “japa” phenomenon continues to reshape the nation’s workforce landscape, the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system remains a growing concern for both policymakers and citizens alike.
