₦100 Million to Stay—But Doctors Still Choose to JAPA: A Nation Confronts its Healthcare Crisis

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
15 July 2025

What if you were handed ₦100 million today—no strings attached—to stay and invest in Nigeria’s crumbling healthcare system?

That daring question, posed by the UK-based physician, one of the moderators of the summit and CEO of the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI), Dr. Lawson Obazenu, during the National Health Summit 2025, triggered one of the most powerful and unfiltered debates of the event. Hosted in collaboration with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the virtual summit themed “The JAPA Syndrome: Brain Gain or Brain Drain?” Navigating the Future of the Nigeria Health Sector , brought together an impressive lineup of medical professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora to address one of the most pressing dilemmas in the nation’s healthcare sector: the mass exodus of health workers.

As the summit reached its peak, Dr. Obazenu challenged attendees with a bold, unfiltered prompt:
“If you had ₦100 million, would you stay and invest in Nigeria’s healthcare system—or would you still choose to JAPA?”

The virtual chat room exploded. Despite the staggering sum, a resounding majority still opted to leave.

A Mirror to the Crisis

Many doctors cited insecurity, decaying infrastructure, career stagnation, and a deep-seated mistrust in government institutions. Some lamented that even ₦100 million is no match for a system that stifles talent and punishes integrity. A few, however, stood firm on staying—insisting that with accountability, real reform, and stakeholder unity, Nigeria’s healthcare sector can still be rebuilt from within.

Leadership and Moderation

In his opening remarks, Dr. Tope Osundara, President of NARD, called the JAPA syndrome a “national emergency,” urging for collaboration between government and diaspora doctors to stem the tide. His co-moderator, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, emphasized the need for strategic reinvention:
“We can’t blame our way out of this crisis. The time has come to build bridges—between those who stayed and those who left.”

Voices from the Frontlines

Responding to the moderators’ challenge, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, past President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), delivered a compelling response:
“We must stop treating JAPA like a betrayal. It’s a symptom. The real disease lies in underfunding, weak governance, and systemic neglect. If India reversed brain drain through strategic investment, Nigeria can too—but we must act fast and act right.”

The current NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, echoed these sentiments, warning of a looming collapse if urgent steps aren’t taken.
“This isn’t just about losing personnel—it’s about losing the next generation of trainers, mentors, and visionaries. We must act now or risk irreparable damage.”
He called the recent government move to export doctors to Saint Lucia “morally indefensible,” given the acute shortage at home.

Prof. Temitope Esan of the National Postgraduate Medical College warned of a critical collapse in specialist training enrolment. Dr. Elizabeth Fajemirokun from the UK advocated for rotational exposure in high-standard hospitals to re-inspire resident doctors.

Diaspora Reflections

Dr. Sunday Fawole, a U.S.-based Consultant, described JAPA not as desertion but “career evolution born out of desperation.” He credited his departure to years of stalled promotions, poorly equipped hospitals, and the emotional burden of working without hope.

Dr. Solomon Oke, President of Nigerian Doctors in the UK (NDUK), shared his story of frustration, safety fears, and professional stagnation. He proposed digital platforms and structured diaspora partnerships to allow remote contribution without full repatriation.

From Pain to Purpose

In closing, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, 1st Vice President of NARD, declared:
“This summit shattered illusions and sparked a movement. For the first time, home-based and diaspora doctors are united—not by blame, but by purpose.”

Dr. Obazenu’s final words rang clear:
“This ₦100 million question was never really about money—it was about what it would take to make Nigeria worth staying for. Now we know: it’s dignity, security, and shared vision.”

As the virtual applause rang out, the message was unmistakable: JAPA may be the reality—but collective reform could still rewrite the ending.

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