In this video, a Nigerian lawmaker, representing Oshodi Isolo II Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, initiates a bill aimed at curtailing the exodus of Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners to foreign countries.
Nigeria is currently experiencing significant brain drain in its health sector. According to the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Uche Rowland, at a recent event, in 2015, 233 Nigerian doctors moved to the UK; in 2016 the number increased to 279; in 2017 the figure was 475, in 2019, the figure rose to 852, in 2019 it jumped to 1,347; in 2020, the figure was 833 and in 2021 was put at 932.
Some of the factors believed to be responsible for the exodus in the sector include poor remuneration, poor work culture and environment, so much so that it is not uncommon to have medical personnel go on industrial strike over salaries and allowances.
The country currently has a ratio of one doctor to 4,088 patients.
Watch the video below: