Health workers are calling on the Nigerian government to improve working conditions and welfare as concerns grow over the migration of young healthcare professionals.
The President of the West African Health Workers Unions Network and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, made the call at an event marking International Youth Week in Abuja.
Young health professionals make up a significant part of Nigeria’s continuing health-sector brain drain.
Available data presented at the event indicates migration across health worker cadres rose by about 200 percent between 2023 and 2024.
For labour leaders, the figures raise questions about what is driving young professionals abroad, and what could persuade them to stay.
Kabiru Ado Minjibir says better working conditions, welfare and career opportunities are critical to retaining health workers and protecting gains in the sector.
Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and youth leaders also identified mentoring as important in encouraging young professionals to build their careers within the country.
As activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day conclude, the health workers are calling for policies that address the factors driving migration.
Their concern is that without retaining more trained professionals, shortages of health workers could continue to affect healthcare delivery across the country.
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Editor..Ada Ononye
