Nigeria is experiencing a significant brain drain in various sectors, especially in the health sector.
The health care brain drain is “the movement of health care personnel in search of a better standard and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology, and more stable political conditions in different parts of the world.”
Brain drain is a challenge caused by various economic, social and global factors.
Some say that lack of investment in healthcare and low pay for healthcare workers also play a role in the exodus of many health professionals to developed countries.
According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), shortages of health professionals in Nigeria were common in the mid-1980s when the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) reduced the purchasing power of many Nigerians.
This development led to a brain drain, as older, highly qualified colleagues moved abroad.
Not much has been done to effectively stop this trend, which appears to be getting worse.
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It has continued to the point where even younger health workers are now involved.
Some say the trend has become more frightening because of the economic crisis, shrinking government revenues and health budgets, rising unemployment and poverty, which have put pressure on demand for health services.
The health sector in Nigeria faces many challenges, including insufficient and inconsistent funding, heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments, and poor conditions of health care facilities, particularly in rural areas.
The Medical Guild, an association of doctors employed by the Lagos State Government, stresses the gravity of the brain drain and says it remains a crisis that has not been adequately recognised.
It is observed that an average of two to three doctors resign from their primary and secondary care services each month without any proportional replacement.
According to the union, this leads to overwork, chronic fatigue, burnout and strained family relationships for the remaining physicians, with many struggling with chronic medical conditions due to stress and overwork.
He also notes that economic famine and stagflation are also hitting doctors hardest.
Similarly, the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN) regrets that no fewer than 100 psychiatric doctors left Nigeria to work abroad between January 2023 and July 2024.
According to the association, it is estimated that out of every five psychiatrists trained in Nigeria, three of them leave the country to work abroad.
Currently in Nigeria, the sector is estimated to have one doctor for every 10,000 patients, compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of one doctor for every 600 people.
More worrying is the question of who will replace current medical professionals and aging healthcare staff.
Pathfinder's country director in Nigeria, Amina Dorayi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the country's health system was in desperate need of repair.
He added that there are strategies the government could implement to discourage brain drain.
Ms. Dorayi also suggests ways to motivate health professionals to work in Nigeria’s public health sector.
She attributes the medical brain drain in Nigeria largely to the result of failed health system leadership.
“The medical brain drain in Nigeria could be attributed to the failure of the health system leadership, which is due to poor understanding and neglect of the problem.
“Nigerian health professionals have been migrating en masse to the UK, US, Canada, Australia and other developed countries,” he said.
To stem this tide, Ms Dorayi says government at all levels must put the threat of brain drain high on the political agenda.
He said that “governments must work together with health institution managers, other leaders and stakeholders within the health sector.
“This will promote better well-being, better working conditions, job security and satisfaction among health workers, as no other category of workers is as essential to people’s well-being.
“To discourage brain drain and motivate health professionals to work in Nigeria’s public health sector, the government must take concrete steps.
“First, we need to improve the working conditions of health professionals, which means improving infrastructure, equipment and resources in public health centres to create a conducive working environment.
“Competitive compensation is also crucial, offering salaries and benefits comparable to international standards.”
Ms Dorayi says professional development opportunities, including training and mentoring, should also be provided to help health professionals grow professionally.
According to her, the recent federal government student loan initiative is a laudable step and should be implemented to give people from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to study medical careers.
He said ensuring the safety of health professionals, particularly in high-risk areas, is vital.
He also says the government needs to recognise and reward their contributions and achievements to boost morale and motivation.
“I also believe that interacting with the community of Nigerian health professionals abroad can foster knowledge transfer, collaboration and possible return to contribute to the country's health sector,” he said.
Ms. Dorayi said Nigeria must be prepared to stem the problems of brain drain in the country.
There is no doubt that the health sector in Nigeria is facing an exodus of qualified professionals.
Factors driving this trend include available incentives and structures that offer better opportunities for health workers in developed countries.
In addition, the emigration of health professionals has been encouraged by security concerns and harsh economic conditions, including inflation.
These and other issues require political will to maintain capacity and financing in the health sector.
The Government can also address those social issues that encourage Nigerian health professionals and their families to seek solace and a better life abroad.