Featured

I’m Not Borders About Doctors leaving Nigeria, We Have Surplus… Ngige

Published

7 years ago

April 24, 2019

I’m Not Borders About Doctors leaving Nigeria, We Have Surplus… Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the mass exodus of young Nigerian doctors is nothing to be worried about as there is an abundance of doctors in the country.

Ngige, who spoke during Channel Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said there was nothing wrong in young doctors going abroad to sharpen their knowledge and skills, make more money and send back to Nigeria to develop the economy.

He said that back in the days when Nigeria did not have qualified teachers, people came from all over the world to teach in Nigerian schools.

“I’m not worried, we have surplus (of Doctors), if we have a surplus, we export,” Ngige said. “I was taught Biology and Chemistry by Indian teachers in my secondary school days. They are surplus in their country.

“We have a surplus in the medical profession in our country. I can tell you this. It is my area, we have excess. We have enough, more than enough, quote me.”

Ngige pointed out that many of the Nigerian doctors practising abroad have medical centres in Nigeria that can boast of modern facilities that could not be found even in government-owned hospitals, hence there is no question of a brain drain

“There is nothing wrong, they go out to sharpen their skills, earn money and send them back home here. Yes, we have foreign exchange earnings from them, not from oil,” he continued.

“Those guys go there, they are better trained because of the facilities they have there. Eventually, I know a couple of them who practise abroad but set up medical centres back home. They have CAT scan, MRI scan which even the government hospitals cannot maintain. So, I don’t see any loss.

“Brain drain will only be inimical when for instance neurosurgeons travel and we don’t have neurosurgeons here.”

Ngige is a medical doctor by training, having graduated from the University of Nigeria-Nsukka in 1979 and worked at the National Assembly and State House clinics at different times. He retired from the civil service in 1998 as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Health.

How true is Ngige’s claim?

Ngige’s claims re-echoed the opinion of the current Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, who said that the number of doctors in Nigeria was sufficient for the population when compared to other African countries but that the problem was the uneven distribution of doctors across the country.

Speaking during the 38th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) in September 2018, Adewole said: “Data obtained from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as of May 30, revealed that 88,692 doctors are registered in their books. Of these doctors, only 45,000 are currently practising and that gives us a ratio one doctor to 4,088 persons.

“Compared to many other African countries the ratio is not bad, for example, in South African it is one (doctor) to 4,000; in Egypt it is one to 1235; in Tanzania it is 1: 14,000; in Ethiopia, it is one to 1 to 118,000, in Kenya, it is one to 16,000 and in Cameroon it is one to 40,000.”

However, according to an article titled, “The emigration of doctors from Nigeria is not today’s problem, it is tomorrow’s”, Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, a Fellow in the LSE (London School of Economics) Department of Health Policy, noted that though the population of doctors in Nigeria is significant when compared to other African countries, that ratio is still a very far cry from the “global recommendation of one doctor to 600 population”.

Citing a poll also organised by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Banke-Thomas noted that “there is a deficit of over 260,000 doctors in Nigeria and a minimum of 10,605 new doctors need to be recruited annually to meet global targets!”

“This gap is particularly critical for a country like Nigeria which has some of the poorest health outcome indices in the world, including the fourth highest maternal mortality ratio and the eight highest infant mortality ratio. So, to be clear, there are not enough doctors in Nigeria!” he opined.

Similarly, in May 2018, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Francis Faduyile, said that Nigerian doctors were leaving the country in high numbers because of three reasons namely, poor remuneration, poor facilities in hospitals, both of which results in lack of job satisfaction.

“Many of our health professionals are overworked. A doctor is supposed to see an average of 20 patients a day, but in Nigeria, doctors see s high as 150 patients daily” he said,

Faduyile added that “the remuneration of doctors is very poor, if you go to other climes, what we are paid here is just 10 per cent of what they collect.

On what needs to be done to make Nigerian doctors stay back home, Faduyile said: “First is when you appreciate your doctors, it will make them stay. Government needs to bring more equipment. We need to have more fund for health.

Share on Facebook

Featured

DG Nafiu’s First Year at NYSC Marked by Transformational Achievements

Published

1 week ago

March 5, 2026

The Gleamer

When Brigadier General OO Nafiu assumed office on March 6, 2025 as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), expectations were high.

The Scheme, which has remained a cornerstone of Nigeria’s youth development and national integration since its establishment, required renewed energy, strategic direction and reforms capable of addressing modern realities.

One year later, Brigadier General Nafiu has presented a comprehensive scorecard highlighting the milestones achieved under his leadership.

His administration, anchored on transparency, improved welfare, job creation and institutional efficiency, has recorded notable progress in repositioning the NYSC for greater relevance in contemporary Nigeria.

A Vision Anchored on Reform and RelevanceUpon assumption of office, the Director-General outlined a clear vision designed to strengthen the Scheme and align it with the evolving needs of Nigerian society. His agenda was built around three major pillars: transparent leadership, improved welfare for corps members and staff, and expanded job creation initiatives.
This vision translated into a broader policy thrust aimed at strengthening the NYSC to ensure its future relevance while contributing meaningfully to national development.
Four focal points guided the implementation of this agenda: enhanced security and welfare for corps members and staff, promotion of patriotism and personal growth among corps members, building a resilient workforce, and promoting strategic communication across the organisation.
Over the past year, these guiding principles have shaped several reforms and initiatives that have improved the operational efficiency and national impact of the Scheme.

Strengthening Welfare and Staff DevelopmentOne of the central priorities of the Nafiu-led administration has been the welfare and professional development of staff.
In a significant move to improve transportation and operational convenience, the Scheme secured a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus to facilitate movement for staff and corps members.

Career progression also received a major boost with the successful conduct of the 2025 promotion exercise. A total of 696 senior staff and 139 junior staff were promoted, while 173 officers received approval for conversion to different cadres and salary grade levels. These measures have strengthened morale and reinforced a culture of merit and dedication within the organisation.

In addition, the management ensured prompt payment of disengagement allowances to retired personnel, with over 168 staff benefiting from post-service welfare support.
A landmark achievement during the year was the approval for the implementation of peculiar allowances for NYSC staff, which took effect from January 2026, further improving staff motivation and financial welfare.

National Recognition and Institutional Excellence

The NYSC also received significant national recognition during the year under review. The Scheme was honoured with the Best Performing SERVICOM Unit (Parastatal), Team A, at the SERVICOM Presidency’s 2025 Annual End-of-Year Awards.

The Director-General himself was recognised as the Best Supporting Chief Executive by the SERVICOM National Office in 2025. In another major recognition of institutional compliance and digital responsibility, the NYSC was named the Most Compliant Public Sector Organisation on Data Protection (Federal) by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in February 2026.
These accolades underscore the commitment of the leadership to transparency, accountability and service delivery.

Celebrating Outstanding Corps MembersA major highlight of the year was the hosting of the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony for the years 2020 to 2023. The event celebrated 210 outstanding former corps members whose exceptional service contributed to the development of communities across Nigeria.

Beyond recognition, the Federal Government rewarded the awardees with automatic employment into the Federal Civil Service, reinforcing the value of patriotism, diligence and national service.

Expanding Operational Capacity

To strengthen operational efficiency, the NYSC conducted a recruitment exercise that brought 850 new staff into the Scheme. This move addressed manpower gaps and enhanced the institution’s ability to effectively manage its programmes nationwide.

The administration also intensified advocacy and engagement with key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and various state governments. These collaborations have improved support for NYSC activities and strengthened partnerships crucial to the Scheme’s success.

Improving Infrastructure and Healthcare Support

Infrastructure and healthcare resources also received attention. The NYSC received two mobile clinics donated by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in February 2026. The mobile facilities are expected to improve access to healthcare services for corps members, particularly in remote deployment locations.

Policy Reforms for Institutional EfficiencyInstitutional reform has been another significant focus. The administration successfully processed the approval of the NYSC Scheme of Service, last revised in 1992, and the NYSC Conditions of Service, last updated in 2013, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The updated documents are expected to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative structures and provide clearer career frameworks for staff.

Enhancing Corps Members’ Welfare
Corps members also benefited from policy improvements. Approval was secured for an upward review of the allowances covering kits, feeding and transportation for corps members, with implementation expected to commence in 2027.

The administration also ensured prompt payment of corps members’ insurance coverage, reinforcing safety nets for participants in the Scheme.

Promoting Entrepreneurship and Job CreationBeyond welfare, the NYSC has continued to expand job creation opportunities for corps members.

Through strengthened partnerships with private sector organisations, the Scheme has facilitated employment pathways for graduates completing their national service.

Entrepreneurship programmes under the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative have also empowered corps members with practical business skills, enabling many to establish their own enterprises.

Promoting Unity and Cultural IntegrationThe NYSC remains a vital instrument for national unity, and the current leadership has reinforced this role through strengthened community development programmes and cultural initiatives. Activities such as the NYSC cultural festivals in orientation camps have been improved and repackaged to promote cultural understanding and national cohesion among young Nigerians.

Embracing Digital Innovation
Operational improvements have also been driven by digital innovation. The Scheme has introduced and expanded digital solutions aimed at improving efficiency, administrative coordination and service delivery across its nationwide operations.
a
Capacity Building and Professional TrainingStaff training and professional development have remained a priority. In addition to internal workshops such as the pre-mobilisation workshop, pre-orientation workshop and Annual Management Conference, more than 936 staff members participated in seminars and professional training programmes organised by reputable institutions across the country.

These organisations include the Federal Training Centres, the Centre for Management Development, the Institute for Strategic Management of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development.Strengthening Strategic PartnershipsPartnerships with government agencies, private organisations and non-governmental bodies have continued to expand, helping to drive youth empowerment initiatives and national development programmes linked to the NYSC mandate.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Despite these achievements, the year was not without challenges. Security concerns and funding constraints posed operational difficulties. However, the leadership emphasised that the experiences have provided valuable lessons that will guide future strategies to ensure the Scheme remains resilient and responsive to national needs.Looking Ahead

As the NYSC enters another phase of its development, Brigadier General Nafiu has outlined a forward-looking agenda focused on digital transformation, youth entrepreneurship and stronger stakeholder collaboration.These initiatives aim to deepen the Scheme’s role in promoting national unity, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

Reflecting on the past year, the Director-General expressed pride in the collective efforts of NYSC staff, corps members and stakeholders whose dedication has driven the progress recorded.

With renewed commitment and strategic direction, the NYSC leadership believes the Scheme is well positioned to achieve even greater impact in shaping Nigeria’s future.

For Brigadier General Nafiu and the NYSC family, the message remains clear: the journey continues, driven by a shared belief that Nigeria’s unity and development remain the ultimate mission of the National Youth Service Corps.

Share on Facebook