NiDCOM Unveils Plan to Deploy Diaspora Doctors to Strengthen Nigeria’s Health Sector
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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced a nationwide medical initiative aimed at reconnecting Nigerian doctors abroad with the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking in Abuja, the Commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, introduced the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026. The programme is designed to mobilise Nigerian medical professionals living overseas to support healthcare delivery across multiple states.
According to her, while Nigeria receives over $20 billion annually in remittances from its diaspora community, the professional expertise of Nigerian-trained doctors practicing abroad has not been fully integrated into national development efforts. She stressed that beyond financial inflows, the transfer of knowledge, specialist skills, mentorship and healthcare systems management is critical to strengthening local institutions.
Under the initiative, seven diaspora medical associations are scheduled to visit selected states between July 20 and 23, ahead of the annual National Diaspora Day marked on July 25. The participating states include the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto and Kaduna.
The visiting teams will collaborate with state governments and local health facilities to provide specialist services and professional training. Areas of focus include maternal and neonatal care, sickle cell screening, women’s health, point-of-care ultrasound, neurosurgery, interventional radiology, reproductive health diagnostics, and healthcare leadership.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the framework is structured to ensure sustained capacity building rather than short-term outreach missions. The expected outcomes include improved access to specialist services, stronger institutional systems, enhanced clinical competence among local practitioners, and improved health data collection.
She also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu, describing diaspora engagement as a strategic component of Nigeria’s development and foreign policy objectives.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fatima Kyari, assured that the Council would facilitate temporary licensing for participating diaspora medical personnel to ensure regulatory compliance.
Representatives of participating diaspora medical bodies emphasised the need for continuity and long-term collaboration to guarantee lasting impact.
Nigeria’s healthcare system continues to face challenges, including shortages of specialist doctors and uneven distribution of medical personnel, particularly in rural communities. Meanwhile, thousands of Nigerian-trained professionals practise across Europe, North America and other regions, contributing significantly to global healthcare systems.
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