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Ugly side of ‘jakpa’: Medical students now preparing to leave Nigeria before graduation — NMA
The Nigerian Medical Association has expressed concern over the increasing number of doctors leaving the country, revealing that the desire to seek opportunities abroad now begins among some medical students before they qualify as doctors.
The NMA President, Prof Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, disclosed this while speaking on the growing migration of medical professionals, warning that the trend could deepen the shortage of doctors and place additional pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Omoti said some students were already preparing for foreign professional examinations while undergoing their medical training or internship, with the aim of securing opportunities abroad soon after completing their registration in Nigeria.
He said the situation reflected the diminishing confidence among young medical professionals about their prospects at home.
“The Nigerian medical student, even before he graduates, is already planning how to leave the country because he’s seen what is ahead of him, that there is no future ahead,” Omoti stated.
The NMA chief said many young doctors use their internship period to begin the process of obtaining foreign qualifications, enabling them to relocate soon after completing the mandatory registration requirements.
He urged the Federal Government to urgently address the conditions that are making young doctors consider migration as the preferred option for career development.
“We cannot continue like that. We want that junior doctor, or that medical student, to look ahead of him and see that the doctors ahead of him are living fairly comfortably, and are not living in fear, they are not living in penury,” he said.
Omoti revealed that the NMA had presented the government with a proposal for a minimum retention package designed to encourage doctors to remain in the country.
He explained that the demand was not for Nigerian doctors to receive salaries matching those obtainable in richer countries, but for the government to provide conditions capable of making them comfortable enough to continue practising at home.
“We’re not asking that you give us what is equivalent to what people earn abroad, but we’re saying give us what will make the doctor happy to remain in the country, and that amount is not that much,” Omoti said.
According to him, most doctors would rather practice in Nigeria if the challenges surrounding their welfare, security and working environment were adequately addressed.
“Every doctor wants to remain in this country, I can assure you, hardly any doctor ordinarily would want to leave. We want to stay. But for many people, they just cannot do it anymore,” he stated.
The NMA president further warned that the continued departure of doctors amounted to a loss of the enormous resources invested by the government in their training.
“The government spends so much money to train an average doctor, and these doctors leave for free. Who loses? The government loses; the Nigerian people lose. It is important to do everything that can train these doctors to retain them,” he said.
The latest warning adds to longstanding concerns about the migration of Nigerian health professionals, with doctors and other workers leaving in search of improved remuneration, working conditions, career advancement and safer workplaces.
The NMA has consistently called for better pay, improved medical infrastructure, enhanced security and stronger incentives to keep health professionals in Nigeria.
The association has also pushed for an upward review of the retirement age for clinical health workers, arguing that keeping experienced practitioners longer in service could provide temporary relief from the manpower deficit.
Omoti also drew attention to the increasing cases of attacks and harassment against healthcare workers, describing the development as a major concern for the profession.
He disclosed that a national policy aimed at protecting healthcare workers from intimidation and harassment had been developed and issued following the recommendations of a committee constituted to examine the problem.
He said hospitals were expected to strengthen security arrangements and ensure that individuals responsible for attacks were prosecuted and, where appropriate, compelled to compensate affected health workers.
The NMA president advocated stronger security measures in hospitals, including adequate security personnel and CCTV cameras, particularly in emergency units where tensions can escalate quickly.
Omoti said some attacks were triggered by the grief and frustration of patients’ relatives, as well as inadequate communication and misunderstandings about the realities of hospital care.
“You can’t expect that everybody who comes to a hospital, no matter how bad it is, must survive. So, the fact that you are grieving doesn’t mean you take your anger on the doctor or on the healthcare professional,” he said.
He called on hospitals to communicate more effectively with patients and their families, especially about the consequences of the shortage of healthcare personnel.
“Because of the limited workforce, the only person there in the emergency, with so many patients, and then you expect that one doctor will divide himself into 10, and attend to 10 patients at once. You can’t do that,” Omoti added.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed sadness over the death of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
Idris, a former industrialist and two-term governor of Kogi State, reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a condolence message, Enikanolaiye commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Kogi State Government and people of the state, as well as his associates across the country.
The minister described the death as “unexpected” and urged Nigerians to draw consolation from the exemplary life Idris lived and the legacies he left behind as a man of peace committed to the good of all.
Enikanolaiye said Idris made significant contributions to business, public service and philanthropy, leaving behind projects that defined his tenure as governor.
He said: “The former industrialist has left very bold footmarks on the sand of time in business, public service, and philanthropy. The greater Lokoja water scheme, the international market, several roads and bridges, State Secretariat phase two, and construction of housing estates across the state, in addition to prompt payment of salaries are some of the legacies that defined his public service.
“He was a very tolerant leader and a voice of unity who saw humanity in all irrespective of creed, class, and tribe.
“For me at a personal and community level, it was the late Governor that put, for the very first time, asphalt on the only road that links my communities from Iyamoye through Igbagun to Isanlu in Yagba South East District which made access and movements easier for the people.
“I have been one of the direct beneficiaries of this transformative project. The road is now overdue for rehabilitation.
“This is one death too many. It is particularly sad that his death occurred at a time when his guidance and wealth of experience were highly required in this special general election season. Nigeria will miss him.
“No one can question the Almighty God, the owner of life. I wish the former governor, Al janah fridaus, and the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
The minister prayed for strength for the family to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 66th birthday, describing her as a “great mobiliser and unifier”.
In a congratulatory message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Saturday, Abbas described the First Lady as a dependable spouse, partner and ally to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Speaker commended her “indefatigable spirit” and high level of patriotism, saying she remained an inspiration to Nigerian women.
He also acknowledged her experience in public administration and women mobilisation, describing her as an experienced political, religious and woman leader.
Abbas praised her resilience in supporting not only the President but also the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting her influence at the grassroots and her efforts to complement the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Speaker wished the First Lady many more years in sound body and mind, while praying for the success of her husband in the forthcoming presidential election.
Enikanolaiye Mourns ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
Kalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
Abbas Hails Oluremi Tinubu @66, Praises Her as ‘Great Mobilise, Unifier’
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