In a recent address to the Nigerian House of Representatives, Prof. Emem Bassey, Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, raised the alarm about the exodus of Nigerian medical professionals to neighboring African countries, particularly Sierra Leone and Gambia.
According to Bassey, these countries are offering salaries ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 to attract Nigerian doctors, a figure almost four times higher than what they earn domestically.
He said, “Some African countries are also beginning to poach from Nigeria. The West Coast is looking for our specialists. So many people are now going to places like Sierra Leone and Gambia and the wages they earn are $3000 to $4000. It is about three to four times what they earn back home. So we are beginning to see that people are leaving for other African countries too.”
The situation underscores a growing crisis not only in Nigeria’s healthcare sector but in Sierra Leone as well, with skilled health workers seeking higher-paying opportunities abroad due to inadequate compensation and challenging working conditions at home. This trend is not limited to doctors alone but extends to other critical healthcare roles including nurses, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, and radiographers.
The issue of manpower drain has led to significant gaps in both West African nations’ healthcare systems, making it difficult to provide adequate medical services to the population. Despite efforts to recruit and retain professionals, bureaucratic obstacles, inadequate salaries, and delays in the hiring process hinder effective replacements.
One contributing factor to this situation is the failure to balance compliance with the principle of national character, which aims to ensure equitable distribution of opportunities among diverse regions, and the pressing need to fill critical vacancies promptly.He said, “Some African countries are also beginning to poach from Nigeria. The West Coast is looking for our specialists. So many people are now going to places like Sierra Leone and Gambia and the wages they earn $3000 to $4000. It is about three to four times what they earn back home. So we are beginning to see that people are leaving for other African countries too.
The Nigerian government acknowledges the shortage of advanced medical facilities within the country’s healthcare system. However, they urge medical professionals to prioritize patriotism and contribute to the development of their nation, rather than seeking opportunities exclusively abroad.
The government also promises to consider the insights and recommendations provided by the medical community to address this pressing issue and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector.
