“JAPA or Rebuild: National Summit Unites Doctors Globally to Shape Nigeria’s Healthcare Future”

“JAPA or Rebuild: National Summit Unites Doctors Globally to Shape Nigeria’s Healthcare Future”

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
13 July 2025


In what has been described as one of the most intellectually charged and emotionally stirring health conversations of the year, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in collaboration with the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI) held the National Healthcare Summit 2025 virtually on Saturday, July 12, bringing together some of the most influential voices in Nigerian medicine—both at home and in the diaspora.

With the compelling theme “The JAPA Syndrome – Brain Gain or Brain Drain? Navigating the Future of the Nigerian Healthcare Sector,” the summit recorded massive participation from doctors across Nigeria and around the globe via Zoom. The virtual summit, featured high-level stakeholders including doctors from across Nigeria, the UK, US, and the Middle East, as they dissected the realities, root causes, and possible solutions to the mass migration of Nigerian doctors.

Leaderships Sets the Tone

The event kicked off with strong opening remarks by the host as well as moderator, Dr. Osundara Tope, President of NARD, and the co-host and moderator, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, CEO of RYNI and a UK-based physician. Dr. Osundara called the Japa trend a “national emergency,” urging strategic engagement between government, local professionals, and diaspora doctors to halt the drain. Dr. Obazenu emphasized that the conversation should move beyond blame to building bridges that convert the brain drain into brain gain.

Government Engagement: Promises and Pathways

Delivering the keynote, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen (mni), Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, acknowledged the troubling outflow of Nigerian doctors and admitted that diaspora doctors remain underutilized. He pledged stronger partnerships between the Federal Ministry of Health and diaspora organizations to institutionalize avenues for brain gain, including collaborative missions, specialist training, and technology transfer.

“We must stop seeing diaspora doctors as gone. They are an untapped national resource,” he noted.

A Battle of Perspectives: Nigerian-Based vs. Diaspora Doctors

The summit featured a diverse panel that passionately addressed the push-and-pull dynamics driving the Japa phenomenon:

​Dr. Sunday Fawole, a Consultant Physician based in Georgia, USA, was unflinching. “This is not just migration. It’s a strategic career evolution sparked by systemic failure,” he said. He cited chronic underfunding, lack of infrastructure, and poor wages in Nigeria as the overwhelming “push” factors.

​Prof. Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), warned of a bleak future if urgent reforms are not initiated. “We are not just losing doctors, we’re losing mentors, specialists, and future trainers. The system is collapsing from the inside,” he lamented. He further criticized medical tourism as a national contradiction and called for investment in local systems. He also condemned the government’s move to export doctors to Saint Lucia, calling it “morally unjustifiable” in a country already crippled by severe doctor shortages.

​Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former President of WMA, CMA, and NMA, argued for a comprehensive root cause approach. “India reversed brain drain with deliberate investment. Nigeria can do the same. But first, we must address poor wages, working conditions, and governance failure,” he said.

​Representing the UK diaspora, Dr. Elizabeth Fajemirokun, a Consultant Anaesthetist, advocated for inclusive reform led by doctors—not civil servants. She recommended rotational postings in high-performing private hospitals to improve resident training and morale.

​Prof. Temitope Esan, Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College, confirmed a steep decline in residency enrolments and rising attrition within the first year of training. “Our factories for producing specialists are losing raw materials,” he warned, calling for urgent attention to poor training environments. When questioned about the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), Prof. Esan revealed that although the fund exists, irregular disbursement remains a deterrent. “Dialogue with government is ongoing, but we need consistency and structure,” he added.

Diaspora Voices: Pain, Promise, and Proposals

In a poignant reflection, Dr. Solomon Oke, President of the Nigerian Doctors in UK (NDUK), admitted that his departure from Nigeria was not solely economic. “It was about safety, career structure, and hope. Nigeria didn’t offer that,” he said. He advocated for digital platforms that allow diaspora doctors to contribute remotely.

Dr. Babagana Abubakar, a Saudi-based surgeon, emphasized that individual contributions by diaspora doctors are difficult due to systemic obstacles. He called for formal government-diaspora partnerships, medical missions, and specialist exchange programs to enable structured contributions.

“If You Had ₦100 Million—Would You JAPA or Stay?”

One of the most striking moments came when Dr. Obazenu posed a daring  question to the audience:“If you were given ₦100 million, would you JAPA or stay to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare?”

The Zoom chat erupted.

A large majority admitted they would still choose to leave—citing insecurity, poor infrastructure, and lack of political will. A few courageous voices, however, declared their commitment to stay and invest, believing in Nigeria’s potential if supported by real reform.

The Way Forward: Unity and Purpose

As the summit drew to a close, panelists unanimously agreed that the Japa trend is not inherently evil, but its current trajectory is dangerous without a national strategy. They advocated: Structural reform of training programs and healthcare financing. Leveraging diaspora doctors through partnerships.Better wages, safer working environments, and clear career progression pathways.

A Movement is Born

In his vote of thanks, Dr. Tajudeen Abdulrauf, 1st Vice President of NARD, commended the candour of all speakers:

“Today showed that doctors—home and abroad—are no longer divided. We are united in pain, in hope, and now, in purpose. Let us build the Nigeria we all dream of.”

Dr. Tope Osundara, NARD President, gave his closing remarks with renewed optimism: “Let this summit be a pivot—not just talk, but policy, partnership, and performance. We will not only stop the drain—we will drive the gain.”

In his final words, Dr. Lawson Obazenu, RYNI CEO, affirmed: “The narrative has changed. From JAPA to return, from brain drain to brain gain—this is our movement. Let us light the fire of transformation, and let it burn across every hospital, every state, and every diaspora corner of the globe.”

As the session closed, the applause—virtual yet powerful—signalled not an end, but a beginning. The road ahead is long, but with unity of purpose and shared responsibility, Nigeria’s healthcare future just took a bold step forward.


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