Doctors can succeed in Nigeria without going abroad, says UNILAG VC

As Nigerian doctors continue to migrate abroad in search of better pay and working conditions, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has said they do not need to leave the country to succeed, stressing that “Nigeria is full of opportunities.” According to her, Nigeria is massively blessed with opportunities, but it depends on what those leaving the country choose to see. Ogunsola said it was good for doctors to travel abroad to advance their medical skills and then return to the country to build local expertise and strengthen the health sector to improve health outcomes. Speaking at the close of the fourth cohort of the Dr. Abayomi Ajayi Mentoring Programme in Lagos recently, the UNILAG VC said many young Nigerian doctors believe they can only become successful and wealthy if they travel abroad.

“They can be successful here; Nigeria is full of opportunities. Young doctors shouldn’t leave simply because all they hear is bad news. This is a country of opportunities, and we need to show them they don’t have to go abroad to succeed,” she said. The first female and 13th VC of UNILAG, however, said Nigeria must deliberately invest in its healthcare workforce through improved welfare packages, better working conditions, modern facilities and enhanced security to encourage professionals to remain in the country. Ogunsola noted that mentoring young doctors was essential to helping them recognise and harness the vast opportunities available in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is full of opportunities, so we need to show young doctors how to discover these opportunities and become productive rather than relocating permanently. “They can travel abroad for training and return home to contribute to national development,” she said. The renowned researcher said the opportunities many young professionals seek already exist in Nigeria and that they do not have to leave the country to succeed. Related News Lagos, Kano lead as states overtake FG in health insurance coverage

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Ogunsola, a Professor of Medical Microbiology, stressed that success should not be measured solely by financial rewards. “The impact you make on people’s lives is what matters most. That sense of purpose—that you are adding value and people recognise your contributions—is invaluable. “Many of us graduate from medical school without a clear vision of what we truly want. This mentorship programme enables young doctors to interact with mentors from diverse fields who help them shape their career paths and gain clarity about where they want to be,” the don noted. She called on the Federal Government to create a more conducive environment for healthcare professionals, warning that the continued migration of skilled personnel poses a threat to Nigeria’s health system.

She identified the mentoring of young doctors as an effective tool for tackling the ‘Japa Syndrome’ and stemming the shrinking of the health workforce. PUNCH Healthwise reported in January that Nigeria’s already fragile healthcare system was facing a critical manpower deficit, as the number of licensed doctors had dropped to about 40,000, far below the estimated 300,000 needed to adequately serve a population of over 220 million. In 2024, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, revealed that Nigeria had about 55,000 licensed doctors. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Pate disclosed that no fewer than 16,000 doctors had left the country in the previous five years, while about 17,000 others had been transferred out of active service. According to the State of Health of the Nation Report 2025, released in June, no fewer than 20,966 Nigerian health workers relocated abroad within one year. The report disclosed that the mass exodus included 3,919 doctors, 7,487 nurses and midwives, 6,861 medical laboratory professionals, 702 pharmacists, 658 physiotherapists and hundreds of other specialists.

Angela Onwuzoo