Health Minister Ali Pate has highlighted that a significant number of Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses are employed in the United Kingdom (UK), with 67% of them working in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Pate expressed concern that if these health professionals were to leave the NHS, the service could face considerable difficulties.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Pate discussed a new government policy aimed at addressing the migration of health workers from Nigeria, a trend popularly known as ‘Japa’. This policy, recently approved by President Bola Tinubu, is designed to provide incentives for Nigerian medical workers to remain in the country by improving their working conditions.
Pate noted that Nigerian health professionals are highly valued around the world and that Nigeria should take pride in their skills. While acknowledging that not all Nigerian health workers leave the country, he explained that those who do often have valid reasons.
The new policy focuses on health diplomacy and promoting ethical recruitment practices. Pate suggested that countries recruiting Nigerian professionals should also play a role in expanding training opportunities in Nigeria. He proposed that the UK could help by supporting the training of more medical professionals to offset the impact of their migration.
Pate emphasized the importance of this policy in addressing the ongoing strain caused by the migration of health workers. He pointed out that 67% of Nigerian doctors are in the UK and that 25% of the NHS workforce is Nigerian. He suggested that the UK might consider contributing to the training of more health workers in Nigeria as part of a broader ethical recruitment strategy.
He also praised the vibrancy and capability of Nigerians, stating that if they were to stop moving to the UK, the NHS might struggle to maintain its service levels. Over 75% of health workers trained in Nigeria last year have already migrated abroad, according to Pate. He acknowledged the quality of local training centers and universities but noted that the government cannot prevent health workers from leaving.
Instead, the government plans to create better conditions for medical workers to stay in Nigeria by offering improved welfare packages and enhancing capacity development. The new policy will also aim to ensure that work environments are reasonable, with shifts not exceeding 12 hours.
