36 Governors Launch Investopedia to Turn Nigeria into Global Investment Magnet

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
20 August 2025

In a bold move to attract global capital and accelerate economic transformation, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has unveiled Investopedia, a groundbreaking platform aimed at connecting investors with viable projects across all 36 states of the Federation. The launch, which took place in Abuja on Tuesday, positions the initiative as a central hub for investment opportunities, with the goal of driving job creation, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.

Speaking at the event, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to tap into both global and African financial markets. Represented by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, AbdulRazaq noted that foreign direct investment into Nigeria has averaged a mere $2 billion annually over the last decade—less than 0.5 percent of GDP—primarily concentrated in oil, telecommunications, real estate, and agriculture.

“Despite these inflows, Nigeria faces an infrastructure financing gap estimated at $100 billion each year, a burden largely shouldered by states,” AbdulRazaq said. “Public sector projects alone cannot bridge this gap. Investopedia is designed to unlock global and African capital flows, generate employment, modernize infrastructure, and promote sustainable, inclusive growth.”

Investopedia, produced in both print and digital formats, will be showcased at major global events, including the Intra-African Trade Fair, UN General Assembly, and Africa Investment Forum. The biennial publication highlights bankable projects, provides market insights, and details incentives across sectors, creating a transparent and curated pipeline for potential investors.

NGF Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, described the initiative as a “new dawn in Nigeria’s investment readiness at the subnational level.” He explained that fragmented entry points and financing constraints have historically hindered large-scale investment. “Investopedia solves this problem by offering a one-stop shop for investors to engage with credible opportunities across all states, backed by strong governance, institutional oversight, and global visibility,” he said.

The platform is complemented by the NGF Fund, a pooled investment vehicle designed to channel catalytic capital into subnational projects, ensuring that highlighted opportunities translate into real-world development. Sectors such as agro-processing, renewable energy, ICT infrastructure, and finance are prioritized, promising benefits that extend beyond financial returns to improved livelihoods and sustainable development.

AbdulRazaq concluded with a direct appeal to global investors: “Nigeria’s states are open, credible, and investment-ready. With Investopedia and the NGF Fund, we are sending a clear signal: the opportunities are vast, the commitment is firm, and the time to invest is now.”

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

FG Mulls Salary Hike for Tinubu, Lawmakers as Labour Fumes

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
19 August 2025

ABUJA – A political storm is brewing as the Federal Government considers raising the salaries of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, lawmakers, ministers, and other high-ranking office holders. The proposal, tabled by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has ignited sharp criticism from organised labour and civil society groups.

Announcing the plan at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, described the current remuneration for Nigeria’s political leadership as “outdated, unrealistic, and incapable of reflecting their enormous responsibilities.” He noted that the last review was carried out in 2008, despite mounting inflation and economic pressures over the past decade and a half.

Currently, the President earns about ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers pocket less than ₦1 million. Shehu lamented that these figures are dwarfed by the pay packages of certain parastatal heads and the Central Bank governor.

“You cannot pay the President of Nigeria ₦1.5m monthly and expect global credibility,” Shehu argued. “Some agency chiefs earn ten times more than the Commander-in-Chief. That distortion must be corrected.”

But labour unions were quick to counter. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) branded the proposal as “tone-deaf” and “insensitive” at a time when ordinary Nigerians are groaning under soaring food prices, fuel costs, and widespread poverty.

An NLC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the government’s figures as misleading. “The published salaries are just a fraction of what politicians actually take home. With allowances and perks, a President’s package can balloon above ₦100m annually. Why not publish the allowances too?” he asked.

The income gulf between political elites and workers has become a rallying point. While lawmakers are reported to take home as much as ₦30m monthly, the new minimum wage stands at ₦70,000, with university professors earning under ₦400,000. Labour leaders warn that such disparity is not only unjust but dangerous.

“When leadership appears more preoccupied with its own welfare than the people’s hardship, it deepens inequality and fuels unrest,” the NLC source cautioned. “This country cannot withstand endless provocation of the masses.”

RMAFC, however, insists it is simply fulfilling its constitutional duty to review pay for political, judicial, and legislative office holders—not civil servants. Alongside the salary review, the commission is also revisiting Nigeria’s decades-old revenue allocation formula, last adjusted in 1992. The current structure grants the Federal Government 52.68%, states 26.72%, and local governments 20.60%, with 4.18% reserved for special funds.

Shehu promised that the new formula would be “inclusive, evidence-based, and equitable,” while acknowledging that previous attempts under former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari faltered.

For now, the salary debate underscores the widening chasm between Nigeria’s rulers and the ruled—and whether the government will risk political capital to push it through remains to be seen.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

Promising OAU Medical Student Commits Suicide After Repeated Exam Failure

RYNI News | Blessing Isiuwa
14 August 2025

The serene atmosphere of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, was pierced by grief on Thursday following the shocking death of a young medical student whose dreams were abruptly extinguished.

Ajibola Ibitayo, a part-two student of the Faculty of Dentistry, was found lifeless at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after what authorities have described as a case of suicide. According to official sources, the 21-year-old injected himself following the release of semester examination results that indicated he would have to repeat his academic year — for the second consecutive time.

University spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident in a sombre statement, noting that Ibitayo, who had been repeating Part Two, reportedly took the drastic step after learning that his efforts had not yielded the results he had hoped for.

“This is a colossal loss, not just to his family but to the entire OAU community,” Olarewaju lamented. “He was a bright student from a respectable background. His father, a medical doctor, and his family are devastated beyond words.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, while addressing the tragedy, called for a cultural shift in how failure is perceived among young people. “Academic setbacks are not the end of life’s journey,” he stressed. “They can be redirections towards new opportunities and eventual success. We must teach resilience, self-worth, and the courage to face tomorrow, even after today’s disappointments.”

The Dentistry Students’ Association, through its president, Adebayo Idris, described Ajibola’s passing as “a painful reminder of the silent struggles” that many students endure. “This is not merely the loss of a classmate,” Idris said, “but the extinguishing of a bright mind whose potential will never be realised. It underscores the urgency of prioritising mental health just as much as physical well-being.”

Counsellors and mental health advocates have since urged students to speak out and seek help when overwhelmed, emphasising that no examination result should ever determine the worth of a life.

As OAU’s campus lowers its flags and its community gathers in hushed sorrow, Ajibola’s death sends a chilling message far beyond Ile-Ife — a plea for empathy, early intervention, and a reminder that behind every transcript lies a human soul, often fighting unseen battles.

For Ajibola Ibitayo, the pages of an unfinished story have closed far too soon, leaving behind a silence that speaks volumes.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

Okonjo-Iweala: Tinubu Deserves Award for Stabilizing Nigeria’s Economy — Reforms are in the Right Direction

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
14 August 2025

Abuja — World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has given President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms an emphatic nod of approval, hailing his administration’s push to stabilise Nigeria’s volatile economy as a necessary first step toward sustainable growth.

Speaking to journalists after a high-profile meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala — a former Nigerian finance minister and globally respected economist — declared that “you cannot really improve an economy unless it’s stable,” adding that Tinubu and his team “have worked hard to stabilise the economy, and he deserves credit for that.”

Her visit, however, was not purely an economic appraisal. She came to share what she described as “joyful news” — the launch of a transformative initiative aimed at empowering Nigerian women in the fast-growing digital export economy.

The Women Exporters Fund for the Digital Economy, jointly managed by the WTO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, is designed to help women entrepreneurs weather the economic storm while building thriving, job-creating businesses.

Nigeria emerged as one of only four countries worldwide selected for the programme after a competitive global process. Out of a staggering 67,000 Nigerian applicants, 146 women secured coveted places in the scheme. Among them, 16 high-achieving entrepreneurs have been placed in the elite “booster track” — a category for those already running viable businesses but ready to scale up. These women will receive 18 months of tailored technical guidance, business coaching, and access to new markets.

A further 100 women will each be granted $5,000 in direct funding, paired with 12 months of mentorship and support to launch, expand, or strengthen their enterprises. Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that such targeted investment would not only lift individual households but also inject vitality into Nigeria’s broader economic landscape.

“This is about putting money not only in the pockets of households but in the nation’s pocket,” she explained, noting that women-led businesses have a proven multiplier effect on communities and national growth.

She lauded the First Lady’s active support, along with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, for championing the initiative locally.

Turning to broader economic strategy, Okonjo-Iweala cautioned that stability must be matched with measures to ensure ordinary Nigerians are not left behind. “What is needed next is growth,” she said pointedly. “We need to build social safety nets so that those feeling the pinch of reforms can weather the hardship. That’s how we create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Her remarks underscore a delicate truth: reforms, however necessary, risk eroding public patience without tangible improvements in livelihoods. Okonjo-Iweala’s message to the President was clear — pair stability with inclusive growth, and Nigeria’s economic narrative could shift decisively.

For now, her public endorsement is a boost to Tinubu’s reform credentials, signalling that the global economic community is not only watching Nigeria’s path forward — it is cautiously optimistic.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

Tinubu’s N150m Gift to Super Falcons Ignites Fury Among Neglected Police and Military Veterans

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
3 August 2025

A thunderous celebration over Nigeria’s footballing triumph has given way to a thunderstorm of outrage, as President Bola Tinubu’s jaw-dropping gift of $100,000 (₦150 million) to each member of the victorious Super Falcons has opened old wounds among Nigeria’s forgotten heroes—retired police officers and military veterans.

On Monday, the triumphant Super Falcons, having staged a sensational comeback to clinch their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, were hosted at the Presidential Villa. But the real kicker wasn’t the photo ops or the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger—it was the President’s staggering gift: $100,000 (N150m) to each player and $50,000 to technical crew members, plus a three-bedroom flat in the FCT’s Renewed Hope Estate.

While the glittering reward drew cheers from some quarters, it ignited a storm of criticism elsewhere—most notably from retired military and police personnel who feel abandoned by the country they bled for.

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore captured the national mood with a blistering reaction:

“Life is brutally unfair to Nigerian police officers. After 35 years of service, they receive just ₦2 million as gratuity. But athletes get ₦150 million for a single tournament? That’s beyond inequality—it’s state-sanctioned insult.”

His words have found resonance across barracks and retired officers’ associations, where bitterness now simmers beneath weary uniforms and hospital bills.

“A Game of Misplaced Priorities”

Punch gathered that among the loudest critics are ex-servicemen under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), who view the President’s gesture as a glaring indictment of government priorities.

Lukmon Aderibigbe, a retired army corporal who served in active combat against insurgents, struggled to conceal his grief:

“How do you reward a 90-minute football game with N150m, yet soldiers who risk their lives daily for 35 years retire into suffering?” he asked, his voice breaking. “My friend died from injuries the army refused to treat because NHIS said gunshot wounds weren’t covered.”

The bitterness runs deep. Aderibigbe claims his own gratuity was a mere N2m after 15 years of active duty, and that attempts to have his pension recalculated following the new minimum wage fell on deaf ears.

“I Took the Bullets, Got Peanuts”

Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, a former Lance Corporal wounded by a suicide bomber in 2017, paints an equally bleak picture.

“N150m can’t replace what I lost,” he told PUNCH. “I paid for my treatment myself. Thirteen years of service, and all I got was a little over N2m. That’s the value of my sacrifice?”

He isn’t alone. In Yobe, ex-Corporal Abdullahi Idris, now walking with a limp from a service injury, said his N72,900 monthly pension barely keeps him alive. “The government has made us third-class citizens,” he said. “We sacrificed our youth. Now we are forgotten.”

Retired Police Officers: ‘Why Not Us?’

It’s not just the military. Retired police officers under the CPS are furious too. Mannir Lawal, a leader among them, lamented:

“We were told there’s no money. Then suddenly, N150m appears for footballers. That insult cuts deep.”

Another, Buba Danjuma, accused the government of favouring spectacle over service. “The girls played for 90 minutes. We served for decades, many of us dying in the line of duty. Yet we are rewarded with suffering and silence.”

Presidency Stands Firm

However, the Presidency is unmoved. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the criticisms as unrelated:

“You cannot link their reward to other sectors. Nigerians are proud of the Falcons’ achievement. The gesture is deserved,” he stated.

But for the thousands of retired soldiers and police officers facing unpaid entitlements, neglected injuries, and rising costs of living, the message is clear: their battles are long over—and so, it seems, is the nation’s gratitude.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI News

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

“JAPA Just Got Pricier: Canada Slaps ₦17 Million Fund Requirement on Migration Hopefuls”

RYNI Media: By Blessing Isiuwa
12 July 2025

For thousands of Nigerian professionals hoping to migrate through Canada’s Express Entry system, the dream of starting a new life just got more expensive.

In a recent announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed a significant increase in the minimum proof of funds required for applicants. Starting July 7, 2025, single applicants must now show access to at least CAD $15,263, roughly ₦17 million at current exchange rates. Couples will need CAD $19,001—approximately ₦21.2 million.

This financial benchmark—reviewed annually by IRCC—is tied to Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), a national poverty guideline used to assess a family’s basic survival needs. The funds are meant to ensure that newcomers can support themselves upon arrival in Canada, before securing employment or public benefits.

“This isn’t just a new number—it’s a new barrier,” says, a Nigerian pharmacist currently in the Express Entry pool. “I’ve passed the English test, I have my credentials evaluated, and now I’m scrambling to raise an extra ₦3 million just to stay eligible.”

To qualify, applicants must provide official letters from their banks, printed on institutional letterhead and detailing current account balances and transaction history. Funds must be liquid, accessible, and under the applicant’s name. If applying as a couple, joint accounts can be used to meet the requirement.

Candidates already in the Express Entry pool have until July 28, 2025, to update their profiles with the new fund values—or risk becoming ineligible. Crucially, this update will not alter their original submission date or affect their ranking in tie-breaker rounds.

This requirement applies to candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs. It does not apply to applicants under the Canadian Experience Class, nor to individuals who already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Canada’s Express Entry is a competitive points-based immigration system, where only top-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residency. Invitations are typically issued every two weeks, based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

For many Nigerians, the JAPA dream is now caught in a financial squeeze. As the cost of migration continues to climb, young professionals face a tough question: how far can they stretch their pockets to cross Canada’s golden gate?

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

Oluwabusayo Ifonlaja Makes Legal History with 18 Awards and Perfect 5.0 CGPA at Call to Bar

RYNI Media: By Blessing Isiuwa
12 July 2025

In a spectacle of scholarly distinction that has ignited celebration across the Nigerian legal and academic landscape, Oluwabusayo Olawale Ifonlaja, a prodigy from Odogbolu, Ogun State, has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) for the 2024/2025 academic year — a feat sealed with an astonishing 18 academic awards and a First Class distinction.

This historic triumph follows his unmatched record of a perfect 5.0 CGPA in Law at Nile University of Nigeria (NUN) — the highest ever in the institution’s Faculty of Law. Together, these twin milestones have not only positioned Ifonlaja as Nigeria’s most decorated young legal mind in recent memory but have made him a national emblem of what unyielding excellence truly looks like.

At the prestigious Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, Ifonlaja’s name resounded again and again as he received top prizes — including Best in Civil and Criminal Litigation, Best in Corporate Law Practice, and Best in Professional Ethics and Skills — a stunning roll of honour that earned him standing ovations and awe-struck admiration.

But his accolades aren’t confined to the courtroom. Now bearing the distinguished titles LL.B, BL, ACArb, AICMC, MTI-AM, MIAR, Ifonlaja is already a certified member of multiple legal and dispute resolution institutions — proof that he is not only book-smart, but bar-ready and battle-tested for a future in jurisprudence and policy innovation.

Commending the young scholar’s incredible feat, Dr Lawson Obazenu, CEO of the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI), stated:

“Oluwabusayo is a beacon of purpose-driven excellence. His achievement is a testament to what Nigerian youths can attain when they commit fully to intellectual growth and national relevance. He is not just an academic success story — he is a movement. I encourage all youths to take a cue from this and invest wholly in their education. That is the first step to becoming resourceful and globally impactful.”

Raised in modest beginnings, Ifonlaja’s story is not just about grades, but about grit, grace, and greatness. He has become a living declaration that brilliance knows no boundaries — not of place, nor privilege. As educators and professionals across Nigeria shower him with accolades, many believe his next chapters will unfold in courtrooms, classrooms, and policy chambers, influencing generations to come.

He doesn’t merely walk in excellence — he builds the path for others to follow. Indeed, the legal world will remember his name. And Nigeria has found in him not just a brilliant lawyer — but a beacon for a generation.

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

Katsina Hotel Raid Unmasks Sex Trafficking Syndicate — Victims Rescued, Traffickers Nabbed

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen O.
10 July 2025

Three young women, aged between 21 and 26, were rescued from a nightmare in plain sight after operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) raided a well-known hotel in Katsina, exposing an active sex trafficking ring run by an interstate syndicate.

Punch News gathered that the victims—two from Benue State and one from Rivers State—were discovered in a cramped, poorly lit room within the hotel premises. Lured with promises of legitimate employment, the women were allegedly trafficked, confined, and coerced into prostitution, servicing as many as 20 men daily under deplorable conditions.

NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, in an official statement, disclosed that three suspected traffickers were apprehended during the operation. Among them were the hotel manager and two staff members, believed to be collaborators in the trafficking operation.

“This syndicate specialized in recruiting young women from other parts of the country, harboring them, and facilitating their sexual exploitation across the northern region,” the statement read.

One of the rescued victims described how she was misled into believing she was coming for a well-paying job. “I kept asking what the job was. The woman kept saying, ‘You’ll understand when we get there.’ When we arrived, they said we must sleep with men—every day, whether we’re tired, sick, or menstruating. Refusal wasn’t an option.”

Another victim revealed the psychological and physical toll: “They gave us energy drinks every evening so we wouldn’t collapse from exhaustion. They took all the money, left us to feed ourselves, and threatened us with watchers who kept tabs on us 24/7.”

Punch News gathered that the traffickers set up a surveillance network involving local men around the hotel who were paid to report any escape attempts. The syndicate head, a woman known as “Amarachi,” allegedly pocketed the proceeds from the forced sex work while the girls endured abuse in silence.

Reacting to the incident, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Bello, condemned the complicity of the hotel in enabling human trafficking. “We are not only going after the traffickers. Any establishment found aiding these crimes will face full legal consequences. This hotel will not be spared,” she vowed.

She also disclosed that legal proceedings are underway and urged other state commands to intensify surveillance of hotels, joints, and motor parks, describing them as common trafficking hubs.

“This is modern-day slavery,” Bello said. “But justice is catching up.”

Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

No More 5-Year Visas: US Limits Nigerian Non -immigrant Visas to Three Months , Single Entry

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen O.
9 July 2025

In a policy reversal that has sent ripples through diplomatic and travel circles, the United States government has drastically cut visa durations for Nigerian citizens from five years to just three months. The change, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday evening, applies to non-immigrant visa categories such as tourism and business—those most commonly sought by Nigerians.

Citing reciprocity and concerns over visa overstays, the U.S. Department of State stated that the new policy aligns with how Nigeria treats American citizens entering its borders. Effective immediately, the decision signals a shift toward more rigid immigration enforcement and recalibrated foreign relations, especially with nations seen as misaligned with U.S. expectations on border control and diplomacy.

The embassy clarified that all visas issued before July 8 remain valid and unaffected. However, any new applicants seeking to visit the U.S. for short-term travel will now receive a visa valid for only 90 days.

This policy backtrack comes barely three years after the U.S. expanded Nigerian visa validity from two years to five, following long-standing complaints about excessive bureaucracy and travel constraints. The 2022 extension had been widely celebrated as a nod to growing economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

But optimism has now given way to frustration and confusion. For many Nigerians, this latest decision feels like a diplomatic slap, raising questions about whether the cost, time, and scrutiny of the U.S. visa process is still worth the effort.

While officials in Washington say the change is rooted in fairness and national security, critics argue it reflects a broader pattern of tightening access to the U.S. for African nations. The announcement follows a string of controversial moves by the Trump administration, including Nigeria’s inclusion on a visa restriction list and the recent proposal to hike tariffs on Nigerian exports by 10% due to its engagement with the BRICS alliance.

Analysts believe the reduced visa duration may have broader implications—stifling tourism, weakening academic and professional exchanges, and limiting opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs, students, and families with ties to the U.S.

“It feels punitive,” said a Lagos-based travel consultant. “People spend months preparing, paying high application fees, and attending interviews, only to be granted a three-month window? It’s discouraging.”

As Nigerians adjust to the new travel reality, many await a potential response from the Nigerian government. Will there be negotiations, retaliation, or quiet acceptance?

For now, one thing is clear: the visa window for Nigerians seeking the American dream just got a lot smaller—and far more uncertain.


Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp

“Brain Drain or Brain Gain? NARD & RYNI Lead National Health Summit to Tackle Nigeria’s Health Sector Japa Crisis”

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen O.
5 July 2025

As Nigeria faces the deepest exodus of healthcare professionals in its history, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), in collaboration with the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI), in timely and urgent response is setting the stage for a ground breaking summit, poised to reshape the conversation around the country’s ongoing healthcare crisis. . The National Healthcare Summit 2025, scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 5:00 PM (WAT) via Zoom, is being hailed as the most consequential dialogue in Nigeria’s health sector this year.

At the helm of this crucial initiative is Dr. Osundare Tope, President of NARD, alongside Dr. Lawson Obazenu, CEO of RYNI and the summit’s lead moderator. Both figures have been vocal advocates for policy-driven change in the sector and are calling for an urgent national reckoning. Dr. Tope Osundare, President of NARD, emphasizes that the event is not just a webinar, but a national reflection point. “We must move beyond lamentation. Dr Obazenu remarked , “It is time to engage constructively with those at home and abroad on how to save the soul of our health system,”

The summit’s theme, “The JAPA Syndrome — Brain Gain or Brain Drain? Navigating the Future of Nigeria’s Health Sector,” captures the duality of the issue: while some view the migration trend as a devastating loss of human capital, others argue it could be repositioned as a strategic advantage—if harnessed wisely.

This landmark event brings together an impressive lineup of distinguished panelists, including medical luminaries from both within Nigeria and across the globe. Representing the Nigerian front are Prof. Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former President of the World Medical Association (WMA), and Prof. Temitope Esan, Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. Their insights are expected to provide a clear-eyed view of the systemic breakdowns within the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

From the diaspora, the event will feature perspectives from seasoned professionals like Dr. Sunday Fawole, a Consultant Family Physician based in Atlanta, Georgia; Dr. Elizabeth Fajemirokun, a UK-based Consultant Anaesthetist; Dr. Oyekunle Oke, President of the Nigerian Doctors in the UK (NDUK); and Dr. Babagana Abubakar, a Consultant Urologist practicing in Saudi Arabia. Together, these international panelists will provide a global lens on what Nigeria stands to gain—or lose—by continuing to export its brightest minds.

The summit is poised to tackle tough questions head-on: Is the Japa trend a hemorrhage of human capital, or a gateway to global influence? Can Nigeria convert brain drain into brain gain by forging strong diaspora partnerships and strengthening healthcare systems at home?

According to Dr. Obazenu, “This summit isn’t just about highlighting the crisis — it’s an intervention about shaping sustainable solutions that prioritize people, policy, and purpose that will tackle the national health emergency called Japa syndrome.

With mounting challenges across the system, from doctor shortages to ailing infrastructure, the summit offers a rare convergence of minds united by one mission: to reimagine and rebuild the future of Nigerian health.

Be part of the change. Show up. Speak up. Shape the future.


Stay updated with the latest news across Nigeria and beyond — visit RYNI Media.

For Event Coverage, Advert Placements, Article Publications.
Email: rynimedia@gmail.com
Contact Us on WhatsApp