Renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has made a passionate appeal to the Nigerian government to increase the salaries of medical doctors and nurses in order to curb the ongoing brain drain in the country’s healthcare sector. His comments were made during the 7th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) set at the ABUAD campus.
Speaking to the new medical graduates on Tuesday, Babalola emphasized that poor remuneration is the primary factor driving Nigerian medical professionals abroad. “The reason why Nigerian doctors and nurses leave this country immediately after completing their training is because the emoluments paid in Naira are much less than what cleaners in hospitals abroad earn,” Babalola said. He further highlighted the dire situation in many states, where doctors working in government hospitals have not been paid for several months.
Babalola continued, “Worse still, doctors in many states and government hospitals have not been paid for many months. I appeal to the government to increase the salaries of doctors and ensure prompt payment.” His remarks reflect the growing frustration among healthcare professionals who are leaving the country in search of better working conditions and financial compensation abroad.
The induction ceremony at ABUAD saw 23 new medical graduates taking their oath as doctors. The event also highlighted the achievements of these graduates, with Motayo Oluwatosin, the valedictorian of the class, receiving an impressive seven distinctions for academic excellence. The ceremony served as a celebration of their academic accomplishments and a reminder of the need for more support in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Prof. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), officiated the induction and oath-taking. During her speech, Kyari commended Babalola for his significant contributions to education and healthcare, both within Nigeria and internationally. “I congratulate you all. As you are graduating today, you are graduating with special opportunities because the Chancellor and his able team, the professors, command respect because ABUAD is respected both locally and internationally,” Kyari said, underscoring the prestige of ABUAD’s medical program.
Kyari also expressed her optimism regarding the federal government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system. “This is our country, let us stay and improve it,” she said, encouraging the new doctors to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the development of the nation’s healthcare sector. She also spoke about the government’s ongoing efforts, saying, “I am actually optimistic about the transformative and ongoing efforts by the federal government to strengthen our health infrastructure across the country, and we believe in the health sector renewal initiative.”
