Hussaini Ibrahim 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Government-employed doctors warn that Nigeria’s healthcare system risks further deterioration unless urgent reforms, improved welfare and strong retention policies are implemented to stem worsening brain drain.
The call comes from the National Executive Council of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) following the Medical Year celebration of the Nigerian Medical Association in Abeokuta.
NAGGMDP President Dr Idris Anas highlights persistent challenges, including insecurity, professional burnout, unsustainable workloads and mass migration of doctors. While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s efforts on security, he urges intensified action nationwide.
“A functional and motivated medical workforce is indispensable to national development,” Dr Anas says. “Security and welfare are not optional — they are foundational to healthcare delivery.”
The association demands immediate implementation of a revised salary structure, improved retention allowances and rapid resolution of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), describing it as critical to restoring confidence in the sector.
Doctors also call for comprehensive insurance cover for all practitioners at federal and state levels, citing rising occupational hazards such as workplace violence and infectious disease exposure.
“No doctor should serve under conditions that leave their families vulnerable in the event of untimely death,” Dr Anas adds.
Nigeria continues to lose thousands of doctors annually to better-paying, safer systems abroad. Health experts warn that unless working conditions improve, shortages will deepen, limiting access to quality care.
NAGGMDP says it remains open to collaboration with government and stakeholders to build a resilient and equitable healthcare system, while reaffirming its commitment to doctors’ welfare and professional growth.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Koko Maxwella 
Juliet Jacob