President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the country’s healthcare sector.
The President made the appeal while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide, alongside the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the State House in Abuja during the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration.
Tinubu said Nigeria needs the knowledge, experience, innovation, and commitment of its highly skilled professionals in the diaspora to build a resilient, efficient, and world-class healthcare system.
Commending the delegation for organizing medical outreach programmes across the country, the President described their efforts as a demonstration of compassion, patriotism, and dedication to humanity.
“It is a great joy to see that you are coming back with the singular motivation of helping your country meet the healthcare needs of our people. Your commitment to medical outreach and service to humanity reflects the oath you took as medical professionals. I thank all of you,” Tinubu said.
Reflecting on his own experience, the President recalled returning to Nigeria after working with Deloitte & Touche and Mobil, stressing that there is no place like home.
“I have been through that journey. I’m home now, and I can tell you there is nowhere like home. The nations where you now live were built by people who remained committed to developing their countries. We must do the same for Nigeria and Africa,” he added.
Tinubu reaffirmed that healthcare remains a key priority under his Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Federal Government is implementing reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services, and deepen partnerships with Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.
According to him, the reforms include increased investment in medical education and research, expansion of digital health infrastructure, improved welfare for healthcare workers, and policies aimed at addressing the challenge of brain drain.
While acknowledging the developmental challenges confronting the country, the President urged Nigerians abroad to remain optimistic and actively contribute to national development.
“This is the heart of Africa. I have continued to encourage many of our professionals abroad to come home. My commitment is to ensure that Nigerians enjoy better education, improved healthcare, economic development, and greater prosperity. We are working to create an environment where future generations will proudly call this country their own,” he said.
He also praised the visiting doctors for providing specialist medical care, surgeries, consultations, health education, and other life-saving interventions during outreach programmes conducted across the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West, and other parts of the country.
The President further urged the healthcare professionals to serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s renewed optimism by encouraging more Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute through investments, knowledge sharing, partnerships, and, where possible, permanent relocation.
Earlier, NiDCOM Chairman and CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the visiting medical professionals had demonstrated their commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s healthcare agenda by voluntarily returning to offer medical services.
She noted that although many Nigerians leave the country in search of opportunities abroad, many are also returning with valuable knowledge, skills, and expertise to support national development.
“These professionals were trained in Nigeria, achieved success overseas, and have chosen to give back to their country. Through the Diaspora Commission, we are supporting their efforts to contribute meaningfully to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described the commitment of the diaspora medical professionals as a strong endorsement of the government’s healthcare reforms.
According to him, the growing willingness of Nigerians abroad to support the country’s health sector reflects confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda and their readiness to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
The delegation included Dr. Jide Menakaya, Dr. Kunle Akanbi, Dr. Uche Menakaya, Dr. Itua Iriogbe, Afekhide Omoti, Dr. Cliff Ike, Dr. Gertie Anyanwoke, Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr. Hamid Balogun, Dr. Sadiya Gumi, Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr. Emilia Iwu, Chike Nweke, Wendy Olayinka, Dr. Timileyin Oluseye, Dr. Charles Adekunle, and Tayo Erogbogbo.
Healthcare Worker Say Tinubu Should Patronise Nigerian Hospital First
However, reacting to the President’s appeal, a Nigerian healthcare professional who spoke on condition of anonymity questioned the call for doctors in the diaspora to return home, arguing that the Federal Government must first demonstrate confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The source challenged President Tinubu and other senior public officials to publicly patronize Nigerian hospitals instead of seeking medical treatment abroad.
“It is difficult to convince highly skilled professionals to come back when many of our leaders continue to seek medical care abroad. If the government truly believes the healthcare system has improved, those in leadership should be willing to use it themselves. That would send a stronger message than any appeal,” the healthcare professional said.
