NMA: NIGERIA EXPORTS DOCTORS, FAULTS LAGOS OVER UNPAID SALARIES
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Chapter, on Monday expressed its discontent towards both the Federal and State administrations regarding inadequate healthcare financing, neglect of welfare, and what it characterized as a “deliberate degradation of medical salary relativity,” cautioning that Nigeria has now emerged as a significant exporter of physicians, second only to India.
During a press conference convened to commemorate the 2025 Annual General Meeting/Annual General Conference (AGM/AGC) of the association, themed “A Critical Evaluation of Nigeria’s Budgetary Allocations to Health: Advocating for Improved Medical Salary Scale and Relativity for Medical Doctors,” the Chairman of Lagos NMA, Dr. Saheed Babajide, remarked that it is disgraceful that despite increasing government revenues, the healthcare sector remains severely underfunded, while physicians face excessive workloads, inadequate compensation, and are being driven to emigrate.
“The president himself claims that Nigeria has financial resources and has settled its debts. If the government is generating higher revenues, why are we still relegated to a mere 5 percent health allocation instead of the 15 percent stipulated in the Abuja Declaration? ” Babajide questioned.
“Any administration that has not secured at least an 8 percent allocation is a failure. Let’s not deceive ourselves. Nigeria possesses the capability and financial resources to adequately fund healthcare but has opted not to prioritize it.”
“Nigeria’s 2025 budget allocated ₦2.48 trillion for healthcare, representing only 5.18 percent of total expenditure, far below the 15 percent target set at the continental level.
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As stated by Babajide, the repercussions include deteriorating hospitals, substandard working conditions, and widespread emigration of medical professionals.
“Nigeria has become the epicenter of health worker exports after India. The government has effectively transformed doctors into its second-largest export commodity following crude oil,” he lamented.
In discussing welfare matters, Babajide condemned the salary reductions imposed by the State Treasury Office on doctors employed by Lagos State in July and August 2025 and called for their immediate reversal.
“We reject any diminished or distorted salary structure for doctors in Lagos. At the very least, the salary prior to April 2025 must be reinstated starting September. Given the overwhelming workload and economic circumstances in Lagos,” he asserted, “our members deserve more, not less. ”
The NMA also criticized the ongoing lack of provision for call-duty meals and unpaid skipping arrears at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), describing the situation as “welfare sabotage” with direct impacts on patient care.
Furthermore, the association condemned the prolonged tenure of Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye as Acting Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, labeling it “sacrilegious” and a violation of existing regulations. “How can one hand over to oneself? His term has expired, yet he remains in position while concurrently vying for a second term. We urge the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, to terminate this reign of impunity without delay,” Babajide stated.
He also reiterated the call for the implementation of a single five-year term for Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of tertiary health institutions to avert the abuse of authority.
He articulated that this year’s NMA conference will showcase Prof. Edamisan Temiye as the principal speaker. The sub-themes will address medico-legal issues in practice, featuring panelists from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Lagos Ministry of Justice, law enforcement, and legal specialists.
Additional activities for the weeklong event encompass medical outreach, quiz competitions, football matches, the inauguration of the refurbished Lagos SCID Panti Clinic, Jumat service, and a gala dinner.
To policymakers, Saheed urged the Minister of Health and commissioners to redirect their focus from “inaugurating projects and pursuing research partnerships” to prioritizing workforce development.
“The truth is straightforward—without healthcare personnel, there is no healthcare. The government must cease pursuing illusions and confront the real issue: doctors are departing in large numbers, and those remaining are being overwhelmed by inadequate welfare and poor working conditions,” he emphasized.
He cautioned that unless immediate action is taken to enhance funding, restore salary comparability, and ensure favorable working conditions, Nigeria faces the risk of a more severe health crisis.
“We are devoted to constructive dialogue; however, let there be no misunderstanding, we will implement decisive measures when necessary to safeguard the integrity of our profession and the health rights of Nigerians,” Babajide declared.
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