President Bola Tinubu has pleaded with Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
The President made the appeal on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide, led by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the State House in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration.
Tinubu commended the visiting medical professionals for organizing medical outreach programmes across different parts of Nigeria, describing their commitment to humanitarian service as commendable. He said the country needs the knowledge, innovation, experience, and patriotism of its highly skilled professionals abroad to build a resilient and world-class healthcare system.
Recounting from his own experience of studying and working in the United States before returning to Nigeria. Tinubu implored the doctors to persuade more Nigerian health workers overseas to come back and help drive national development.
“I’ve been through that journey. I’m home, and I can tell you, there’s nowhere like home.” I’ve experienced being in America, I’ve taken the best of America in my choosen professions, accountancy and finance.”
My friends who are still there, try to attract them home,” Tinubu said.
While assuring them that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is aimed on improving education, development, and prosperity in the country.
The appeal comes amid ongoing concerns over the migration of Nigerian healthcare workers, commonly referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon, which has contributed to shortages of doctors and other medical personnel in the country’s health sector.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
