Obasanjo Urges Incentives to Stop Nigerian Medical Brain Drain Amid Japa Wave
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo calls on Nigerian authorities to provide incentives to medical professionals to curb mass migration and strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.
Enet
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged federal, state, and local governments to provide meaningful incentives for medical professionals to address the growing ‘Japa’ migration trend.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of a new hospital in Zamfara, Obasanjo emphasized that Nigeria’s healthcare system relies not just on infrastructure but on keeping trained doctors and healthcare workers in the country.
“If many of our trained medical staff leave the country for better conditions, how can we keep them here? We need to provide some incentives,” Obasanjo questioned during his speech.
He stressed that good healthcare delivery goes beyond modern buildings and equipment. “Our hospitals must have the right staff to work well. They need proper facilities, like renovations, and the right tools. But we also need the right people,” he added.
His remarks come as Nigeria faces a growing exodus of health workers, with many seeking better pay and working conditions abroad. Obasanjo’s call highlights the urgent need for policy measures that can stem the tide of medical brain drain and safeguard the nation’s healthcare future.
