The Nigerian healthcare system is in crisis, not solely because of infrastructural deficits or inadequate training facilities, but primarily due to chronic neglect of workers’ welfare, particularly in critical sectors like health and education.
The recent alarm raised by the Kwara State government over its inability to recruit medical doctors is a direct symptom of this long-standing issue. In response, the Federal Government recently announced the approval of N110 billion for 18 universities to bolster medical education. While this gesture is commendable, it remains a superficial fix to a deeply rooted problem.
Each of the 18 selected universities—including Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, and University of Lagos—is set to receive about N4 billion, with N750 million earmarked for hostel construction. The funds aim to facilitate the establishment of simulation labs and enhance enrolment in medical programs. No doubt, improving training infrastructure is essential. But it is only one side of the coin.
The core issue driving the mass exodus of Nigerian-trained doctors—popularly called the “Japa” syndrome—is not the lack of simulation labs but the appalling working conditions and poor remuneration. A nation that spends millions to train a doctor only to lose that investment to countries offering better pay and working environments is engaging in economic self-sabotage.
In recent months, some state governments have gone as far as mandating medical graduates to sign bonds restricting them from migrating abroad. These compulsory service agreements are not only unethical but also unsustainable. Coercion cannot substitute for meaningful engagement. Workers, especially in sensitive sectors like health and education, must be motivated by value, respect, and opportunity—not fear or compulsion.
How can a doctor earn a salary that can’t cover transportation and feeding, yet be expected to serve diligently? How can a lecturer continue to produce top-tier graduates while working under threats of unpaid salaries and eroded research support? These contradictions lie at the heart of our brain drain problem.
Therefore, while the current intervention to improve medical education is a step in the right direction, it must be complemented with a holistic reform of worker welfare policies. Governments at all levels must adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes:
1. Reviewing and improving remuneration packages across all essential services.
2. Providing stable and secure working environments, including housing, health insurance, and pension plans.
3. Respecting the professional autonomy and dignity of workers, especially through timely payment and career advancement.
4. Engaging professionals in dialogue, not in forceful agreements that breed resentment and distrust.
Only through such holistic measures can we hope to reverse the tide of migration and retain our best brains. Anything short of this will remain what it is—cosmetic.
Dr. I. M. Lawal
lawalabusalma@gmail.com
