Nigeria’s newly elected Federal Capital Territory chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association has issued a stark warning to government officials: improve conditions for medical professionals or watch the exodus continue unabated. George Ebong, speaking at his inaugural address in Abuja on Saturday, laid out a comprehensive vision for stemming the tide of medical migration that has seen thousands of trained doctors abandon the country’s healthcare system in search of better opportunities abroad.
Ebong identified poor welfare conditions as the primary driver behind what has become known as the japa syndrome, a term derived from Yoruba slang meaning to flee or escape. According to the new chairman, creating competitive working conditions domestically represents the most viable path forward. His prescription includes not only improved compensation packages but also enhanced workplace dignity and security for medical professionals who currently face challenging conditions across public and private facilities. The association plans to engage government authorities from the outset, visiting hospitals individually to assess needs and advocate for systemic improvements.
Beyond addressing immediate welfare concerns, Ebong called for a fundamental shift in how government views the private healthcare sector. He argued that private hospitals have emerged as critical partners in delivering healthcare services, often filling gaps left by overburdened public facilities. Many private institutions operate residency training programs and possess medical equipment superior to what federal hospitals can offer, yet they struggle under heavy tax burdens without corresponding government support. Ebong contended that strategic assistance to private healthcare providers could expand affordable access for ordinary citizens while strengthening the overall medical infrastructure.
Professor Afekhide Omoti, president of the national body of the Nigeria Medical Association, emphasized the strategic importance of the FCT chapter in addressing these challenges. Speaking at the same event, he urged the newly elected executives to prioritize unity among members and work to heal any divisions within the association. His remarks underscored the need for a cohesive professional voice capable of effectively advocating for the interests of Nigerian doctors at all levels of government.
Government representatives at the event signaled openness to collaboration. Dr Kamil Shoretire, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour, stated that authorities remain committed to working with medical professionals to strengthen the healthcare sector. However, such assurances come against a sobering statistical backdrop. Recent data reveals that 3,919 doctors departed Nigeria in 2025 alone, representing a significant drain on the country’s medical capacity and a troubling acceleration of a trend that has persisted for years.
The challenge facing Nigerian healthcare extends beyond simple numbers. Each departing physician represents years of taxpayer funded medical education and training, expertise that now benefits health systems in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other destination countries. Whether the new NMA leadership can successfully negotiate meaningful improvements in working conditions, compensation, and professional dignity remains to be seen. What appears certain is that without substantive action, Nigeria will continue losing its medical talent to countries offering not just higher salaries but also better resourced facilities, professional development opportunities, and quality of life that the current domestic system struggles to match.
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