Nigeria has produced 110,000 doctors in 60 years, but brain drain persists — NARD

By Precious Mark

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has revealed that while Nigeria has produced over 110,000 licensed medical doctors in the past sixty years, a severe workforce shortage continues to plague the nation’s healthcare sector due to an unrelenting wave of migration abroad.

The association pointed out on Monday that the domestic health system remains incredibly vulnerable due to the massive exodus of trained professionals. 

The group underlined that the country’s primary hurdle is no longer merely its capacity to train additional medical personnel.

“The main challenge is not only training more doctors, but also creating an environment that encourages them to remain, succeed, and contribute meaningfully,” NARD stated.

To effectively strengthen the healthcare workforce and stem the tide of brain drain, the association stressed the need for a comprehensive structural overhaul. It noted that the government must urgently shift its focus toward providing sustainable incentives and better infrastructure for practitioners within the country.

“To strengthen the healthcare workforce, it is essential to invest in supportive workplaces, clear career advancement opportunities, fair compensation, and a health system that enables professionals to excel,” NARD stated.

Reaffirming the critical link between healthcare worker retention and national development, the association maintained that the local medical ecosystem cannot survive on continuous recruitment alone without solving the underlying welfare issues driving talent away.

NARD concluded that Keeping talented healthcare professionals in Nigeria is key to ensuring every citizen can access the quality care they deserve.