Obasanjo: Doctors Must Be Motivated to Stay in Nigeria
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| Olusegun Obasanjo |
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerian leaders to create better working conditions and incentives for medical personnel in order to curb the ongoing exodus of professionals, popularly known as "Japa".
Obasanjo made this call on Tuesday while commissioning the renovated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Zamfara State, at the invitation of Governor Dauda Lawal.
Health Sector at Risk Due to Brain Drain
The former president lamented that doctors and nurses trained in Nigeria are leaving the country in large numbers to seek better job opportunities abroad, causing a serious brain drain and weakening the national health system.
“It’s not enough to build hospitals. We must provide the right equipment and ensure our medical professionals are well-compensated and motivated to stay,” Obasanjo stated.
He praised the Zamfara governor for investing in healthcare infrastructure, but stressed that retaining skilled personnel is essential for delivering quality healthcare.
> “Many of our trained health workers are leaving the country. To keep them here, we must offer incentives. Hospitals need the right environment, equipment, and staff,” he added.
Adesina Also Laments Youth Migration
Echoing similar concerns, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina previously described the "Japa" trend as a major loss to Nigeria and the African continent.
“Africa has over 465 million young people. We must not let this demographic advantage become someone else’s gain,” Adesina warned.
He called for investment in African youth to unlock the continent’s full potential, saying:
“The future of our young people does not lie in Europe or America—it lies in a thriving, job-creating Africa.”
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