THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has disclosed that more than 50,000 Nigerian-trained doctors are currently practising outside the country, highlighting what it described as an alarming rate of brain drain in the nation’s health sector.
News Point Nigeria reports that the revelation was made by the National President of the NMA, Bala Mohammed Audu, during a courtesy visit to Kalapanzi Barracks in Kakuri, Kaduna, at the weekend.
Audu said current figures suggest that Nigeria may now have more of its trained doctors working overseas than within its own borders.
“There seems to be more Nigerian doctors outside the shores of this country than there are within the country,” he stated. “Which means we are talking about over 50,000 doctors practising outside the country.”
He attributed the trend partly to the high quality of medical education in Nigeria, which has made Nigerian doctors highly sought after internationally.
According to him, foreign countries actively recruit Nigerian medical professionals, sometimes directly approaching them rather than waiting for applications.
“A lot of the time it’s not just that Nigerian doctors are leaving the shores of this country and going elsewhere, but you find countries come to Nigeria to recruit the doctors and take them out, even when they don’t apply to go out,” he said.
Beyond international migration, Audu pointed to internal migration within Nigeria’s healthcare system as another dimension of the problem.
He explained that many doctors move from one institution to another in search of better welfare packages, improved working conditions, and more reliable remuneration.
“In this angle, we must praise the military,” Audu noted, suggesting that welfare considerations significantly influence career decisions among medical professionals.
The NMA president commended the Nigerian military, particularly the Army, for its sacrifices in defending the country and for providing comparatively attractive conditions of service.
As part of efforts to mitigate brain drain and improve retention of medical professionals, the association encouraged doctors to consider careers within the armed forces.
Audu noted that the Military Salary Structure (MSS) is more attractive than the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which governs remuneration for civilian doctors in public service.
The appeal reflects growing concern within the medical community about the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system amid persistent workforce shortages.
Responding to the visit, the Commanding Officer of the 312 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel I.J. Ufua, described the NMA delegation’s presence as a significant honour.
“I don’t think the unit has gotten this privilege to have this great team in our midst,” he said. “On behalf of the officers and men of this regiment, I sincerely welcome you to Kalapanzin Barracks.”
The NMA’s disclosure comes amid ongoing debates about medical tourism, healthcare financing, and workforce retention in Nigeria.
The departure of tens of thousands of doctors has intensified pressure on the country’s already stretched health infrastructure, leaving fewer professionals to serve a rapidly growing population.