Makinde, Mbah, Federal Ministers Urge Diaspora Doctors to Help Curb Medical Tourism

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, alongside federal ministers, have called on Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to invest their expertise and resources in revitalizing the nation’s healthcare system and reducing the country's dependence on medical tourism.

The appeal was made during the commissioning of Block C the first of six student hostel blocks at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI). The building was donated by Dr. Philip Ozuah, a 1985 alumnus and current President/CEO of Montefiore Medicine, New York.

Present at the event were:

• Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of Education (represented by Mr. Adewale Aderibigbe)

• Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare (represented by Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen)

• Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM)

• Deputy Governors Bayo Lawal (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ossai (Enugu)

They all praised Dr. Ozuah’s $1 million philanthropic gesture and urged other diaspora professionals to emulate him in supporting health and education sectors.

Deputy Governor Lawal emphasized the urgent need for collective action to improve Nigeria's medical education and facilities. Ossai noted that states are willing to collaborate with NIDCOM to address the brain drain and retain skilled health professionals.

Minister Sununu described the new hostel as a beacon of patriotism and excellence, while Prof. Pate’s representative said the facility would support federal goals to boost training capacity for health workers and reduce medical brain drain.

Dr. Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the potential of diaspora doctors, noting that at least 10 hospitals have been built by them in the last four years, including the African Medical Center of Excellence in Abuja. She stressed the need for coordinated efforts to build world-class medical institutions within Nigeria.

The Nigerian Consul General in New York described Dr. Ozuah as a model for diaspora engagement. Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, commended Ozuah for strengthening student welfare and academic excellence.

Emeritus Prof. Samuel Omokhodion, President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide (ICOMAA-WW), said the 168-bed hostel is a milestone achievement demonstrating alumni commitment to national development.Let me know if you'd like this adapted for a different platform or audience.