Tinubu Vows To Tackle Health Workers’ Emigration, Strengthens Specialist Medical Training

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the emigration of Nigerian health professionals, strengthening specialist medical training and improving healthcare delivery across the country.

Tinubu, represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Federal Government would intensify efforts to stem the trend of health workers leaving Nigeria and encourage professionals to return to serve the country and the wider West African sub-region.

The President spoke at the 50th anniversary general meeting, scientific conference and induction ceremony of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) on Monday in Abuja.

He said the government recognised the critical role of specialist physicians in building a resilient healthcare system, adding that investment in medical education, workforce development and improved working conditions remained central to the administration’s health sector reforms.

“We will work hard to stem the trend of japa so that we have people coming back to serve in our region,” Tinubu said.

The President described the WACP’s golden jubilee as a celebration of five decades of professional excellence, specialist training and contributions to healthcare development across West Africa.

Established in 1976, the college has played a significant role in postgraduate medical education, professional certification, research and the development of specialist physicians across the sub-region.

Tinubu commended the institution for producing generations of medical specialists who have strengthened healthcare systems, advanced medical science and contributed to improved health outcomes across the continent.

He said the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with professional medical institutions, educational authorities and other stakeholders to expand specialist training and develop the next generation of healthcare professionals.

According to him, more than 30,000 healthcare professionals have been recruited into federal health facilities over the past two and a half years, alongside recruitment efforts by state governments.

He added that the administration had supported the training of thousands of frontline health workers, strengthened specialist institutions and doubled medical education quotas as part of efforts to address workforce shortages.

The President said healthcare remained a central pillar of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that quality medical services should be accessible to all Nigerians.

He outlined ongoing investments in health infrastructure, including the construction, rehabilitation and equipping of health facilities across the country.

Tinubu said the government had also intensified efforts to revitalise primary healthcare centres and increase direct funding to facilities through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

He added that expanding health insurance coverage was helping protect more Nigerians against catastrophic healthcare expenditure and advancing the country’s drive towards universal health coverage.

The President also highlighted the government’s investment in digital health technologies to improve patient records, disease surveillance, healthcare management and evidence-based decision-making.

He said the reforms were intended to strengthen the country’s health system and position Nigeria as a regional destination for quality medical services.

While acknowledging the challenges facing the sector, Tinubu maintained that sustained investment in healthcare workers, infrastructure and innovation would be necessary to achieve lasting improvements.

Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional health security, warning that infectious diseases and other public health emergencies required coordinated responses across national borders.

He said the government was strengthening disease surveillance systems, laboratory networks, emergency preparedness and cross-border collaboration to improve the country’s ability to detect and contain outbreaks.

According to him, investments in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and related public health institutions underscore the government’s determination to protect citizens and contribute to regional and global health security.

The President called for sustained political commitment, adequate funding and stronger collaboration among West African countries to achieve an Ebola-free region.

He said Nigeria was prepared to work with the WACP, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and international development partners to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms.

Tinubu urged medical institutions to embrace innovation, including artificial intelligence, while maintaining appropriate safeguards and upholding professional standards.

He said the next 50 years of specialist medical education should be characterised by stronger partnerships, improved training, scientific advancement and resilient healthcare systems capable of addressing emerging health challenges.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, announced a N200 million financial commitment by the FCT Administration in support of the conference.

Mahmoud, who said she was also a member of the college, congratulated its leadership, fellows and members on the milestone, describing the anniversary as a testament to five decades of commitment to specialist medical education, research and healthcare advancement.

She said the conference theme, WACP at 50: Celebrating a Legacy and Envisioning the Future, provided an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s achievements and develop practical strategies for addressing emerging healthcare challenges.

The minister stressed the importance of investing in specialist training, medical research, digital health technologies and the welfare of healthcare professionals.

She also called for stronger partnerships among governments, professional associations, academic institutions, development partners and the private sector to improve the recruitment and retention of skilled medical personnel.

Mahmoud commended the college for providing a platform for medical experts from across West Africa to exchange scientific knowledge, develop professional networks and formulate solutions to shared healthcare challenges.

She expressed the hope that the deliberations would produce actionable recommendations to strengthen regional cooperation and improve health outcomes.

In his address, WACP President, Dr Mamadou Mourtalla Ka, said the golden jubilee offered an opportunity to celebrate the institution’s achievements while preparing for the challenges confronting healthcare systems across West Africa.

He said the college had, over five decades, contributed significantly to postgraduate medical education, professional standards, scientific research and the development of healthcare leadership across the region.

Ka paid tribute to the institution’s founders, former presidents, senior fellows and teachers, whose contributions, he said, had sustained the college’s growth and professional reputation.

He identified the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, persistent infectious diseases, inequalities in access to healthcare and growing pressure on health systems as major challenges requiring urgent attention.

The WACP president called for stronger postgraduate medical education, relevant scientific research and closer collaboration among the college’s national chapters.

He also urged medical professionals to embrace advances in science and technology without abandoning the human values at the heart of medical practice.

Ka stressed the importance of supporting younger physicians and trainees with the knowledge, skills and professional values needed to meet the healthcare demands of future generations.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government, ECOWAS, the college’s Nigeria chapter, the organising committee and other partners for supporting the anniversary celebration.

Earlier, the Vice-President of the WACP and National Chairman of its Nigeria Chapter said the college had produced more than 40,000 fellows and over 4,000 members as of April 2026.

He said the institution, established by five English-speaking West African countries, had expanded into a regional professional body bringing together English-, French- and Portuguese-speaking countries.

He described the anniversary as an opportunity to assess the college’s contribution to specialist training and healthcare delivery while identifying priorities for its future development.

The official said the college’s six faculties and national chapters had helped expand professional development, strengthen clinical practice and promote medical education across the sub-region.

He added that the induction of new fellows and members would further strengthen the pool of specialist physicians available to serve West Africa.

The anniversary conference brought together medical professionals, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders from Nigeria and across the West African sub-region to deliberate on the future of specialist medical education and healthcare delivery.

Toyin Adebayo is dedicated professional with over a decade experience of covering news and current events. My background lies in gathering and analyzing facts about newsworthy events through stories, features, interview, investigation, and observation. My reports have featured in many National Dailies and currently with INDEPENDENT Newspaper. Toyin holds a BA Ed in English Education, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Women Journalist. Married with kids.

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