Nigerian medical students plan to leave the country before graduation, NMA warns

Professor Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, President of the NMA, stated that this development poses a significant threat to Nigeria's healthcare system and requires urgent government intervention. He noted that some Nigerian medical students are already preparing for foreign qualifying examinations with the intention of relocating shortly after professional registration. Omoti emphasized that young doctors often take these foreign exams during their internships to leave the country immediately after registration.

The NMA president urged the government to create conditions that would encourage young doctors to build their careers in Nigeria, proposing a minimum retention package. He clarified that the association is not demanding salaries equivalent to those in developed countries but rather sufficient remuneration to keep doctors content in the country. Omoti believes most doctors would prefer to stay if their welfare, safety, and working conditions were improved.

He highlighted that the government invests heavily in training doctors only to lose them to other countries. The NMA has also called for improved remuneration, better infrastructure, safer working environments, and stronger retention incentives for health workers. Additionally, Omoti addressed the alarming frequency of attacks and harassment against hea