A new data from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and national population estimates reveal alarming disparities, with some states having only one doctor for tens of thousands of residents.
Jigawa State has the highest doctor-to-patient ratio at 1:27,480, making it the most affected, followed by Zamfara (1:20,533), Kebbi (1:18,967), and Bauchi (1:17,581). In contrast, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has the highest concentration of doctors, with a ratio of 1:633. Lagos (1:1,762), Enugu (1:2,177), and Edo (1:2,570) also have relatively better doctor-to-patient distributions.
The national average stands at 1:3,749—far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:600.
According to the data, Southern states, including Osun (1:3,326), Rivers (1:3,274), and Delta (1:3,720), show comparatively better figures but still fall short of global standards.
