Statistics from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) indicate that in 2024, about 4,900 new medical doctors and dental surgeons were registered, while 4,200 requested certificates of good standing—signalling that many are preparing to practice abroad. Professor idi Ebeigbe”,”NPMCN past President”], immediate past President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, noted that the quality of postgraduate medical training in Nigeria aligns with global best practices through competency-based education, rigorous assessments, and accreditation of training institutions.
Despite the high standard of training, resident doctors face significant challenges, primarily due to economic constraints. Ebeigbe highlighted that weak remuneration, the declining value of the naira, and inflation have left many young doctors feeling undervalued, prompting an accelerated migration abroad—a trend often referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon. Additionally, many hospitals lack advanced training equipment, and insecurity has increased anxiety among medical professionals, further discouraging retention within the country.
The migration of doctors, according to Ebeigbe, is fundamentally an economic issue. High-paying opportunities abroad, better working conditions, and limited career prospects in Nigeria drive skilled professionals to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Historically, deliberate salary adjustments and economic reforms have reduced brain drain, suggesting that improving remuneration and stabilizing the naira are critical to retaining medical talent.
Healthcare financing is another pressing concern. Nigeria relies heavily on out-of-pocket spending, with as much as 70 to 80 percent of health costs borne by patients, while government allocations often fall below six percent of the national budget—far short of the 15 percent target agreed in the Abuja Declaration. Low health insurance coverage exacerbates the problem, leaving many citizens without access to pooled resources and creating financial barriers to care. Ebeigbe recommends aggressive public awareness, expanded enrolment initiatives, and leveraging private sector participation to improve coverage and sustainability.
Maternal mortality remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, driven by delays in seeking care, reaching health facilities, and receiving timely treatment at hospitals. Key contributing factors include lack of antenatal care, poor transport infrastructure, poverty, inadequate hospital staffing, insufficient drugs and equipment, and unsafe obstetric practices. Addressing these delays requires improving access to family planning, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and broader investment in healthcare infrastructure to ensure that life-saving interventions are accessible to all women.
