Tinubu Urges Nigerian Doctors in Diaspora to Return, Help Transform Healthcare Sector
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora to return home and contribute their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the country’s healthcare sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President made the appeal on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide, led by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the State House, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration.
President Tinubu commended the visiting medical professionals for conducting free medical outreach programmes across various parts of Nigeria, describing their efforts as a demonstration of patriotism, compassion and commitment to national development.
He stressed that Nigeria needs the knowledge, experience and innovation of its skilled professionals abroad to build a resilient and world-class healthcare system, adding that his administration is implementing reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services, improve medical education and create policies that will help reverse the brain drain.
The President also encouraged the diaspora doctors to inspire more Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to reconnect with the country through partnerships, investments, knowledge exchange and permanent return where possible.
Speaking earlier, NIDCOM Chairman Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the visiting healthcare professionals were determined to support the Federal Government’s healthcare reforms by deploying their expertise and participating in medical interventions across the country.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the commitment of the diaspora medical professionals as a strong endorsement of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.
He noted that many Nigerian doctors abroad are willing to contribute to the country’s healthcare development and announced that the Federal Ministry of Health would make collaboration with diaspora medical professionals an annual programme.
The delegation included prominent Nigerian medical professionals from different parts of the world who recently participated in medical outreach programmes across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
