Nigeria’s Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged governments at all levels in Nigeria to introduce meaningful incentives for medical professionals as a strategy to address the growing wave of emigration among healthcare workers, popularly referred to as ‘Japa’.
Obasanjo made the call during the commissioning of a healthcare facility in Zamfara State, where he expressed concern over the increasing number of trained Nigerian doctors and health personnel leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
“For hospitals, especially when many Nigerians who have been trained as medical personnel are ‘japa-ing’, which is going out of the country, looking for better conditions, how do you hold them here? You have to give them a bit of incentive,” he said.
Read also: FG, internet group partners to establish innovation hubs across Nigeria
The former leader stressed that while investments in infrastructure and medical equipment are crucial, the human capital required to drive the healthcare system must not be overlooked.
“We need all the personnel that we can have because our hospitals have to deliver. You need the right environment and that is the refurbishing, renovation, but you need the right equipment, and then you need the personnel,” he added.
Read also: Food crisis: FG suspends 3-day prayer, fasting after backlash
Obasanjo’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the mass exodus of healthcare professionals, a trend that has significantly strained the country’s already fragile health sector.
Many doctors and nurses have described poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, and unsafe working environments as reasons for seeking employment overseas.
