On August 14, 2024, the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration in a bid to counter the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals from Nigeria. The policy, announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, aims to encourage the return of approximately 12,400 Nigerian-trained doctors currently practicing abroad, with a significant number based in the United Kingdom.
Prof. Pate highlighted that 67% of Nigerian-trained doctors are practicing in the UK, underscoring the critical role Nigerian professionals play in the UK’s healthcare system. The newly approved policy is not merely a response to the migration trend but also a comprehensive strategy designed to manage, harness, and reverse the migration of health workers.
The policy introduces the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which will regularly review working conditions to ensure that health workers, especially those in rural areas, receive adequate recognition and rewards. The government is also negotiating with countries receiving Nigerian healthcare workers to improve Nigeria’s health training facilities.
Moreover, the policy will facilitate the return and reintegration of Nigerian healthcare professionals from the diaspora by streamlining registration processes and providing incentives. The initiative also includes digital health infrastructure development and capacity building to enhance healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
Healthcare professionals have expressed cautious optimism, requesting more details on the implementation plan to assess its feasibility and potential impact.
