Nigeria Pushes for Integration of Diaspora Health Professionals into Global Systems
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Nigeria has called for the full inclusion of its diaspora health professionals in shaping both national and global healthcare systems, highlighting their growing importance to sectoral development.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the appeal during a global health summit held in London, where he described Nigerian medical professionals abroad as a critical asset with the capacity to strengthen healthcare delivery through expertise, investment, and international networks.
He urged host countries, global institutions, and diaspora groups to collaborate more intentionally by formalising existing partnerships and expanding programmes that connect overseas professionals to Nigeria’s health sector.
Addressing the long-standing issue of medical migration, Salako proposed structured agreements between countries to ensure fairness. He stressed that nations training healthcare workers should not be left at a disadvantage when those professionals relocate abroad, calling for compensation frameworks, joint training initiatives, and systems that allow professionals to gain experience overseas and return home with enhanced skills.
The minister also pushed for reforms in global health research, arguing that developing countries must play a more central role in setting priorities and contributing knowledge, rather than remaining on the margins of innovation.
On domestic efforts, he said Nigeria has significantly increased the intake of medical students and other health professionals in recent years, alongside investments in training institutions and support for allied healthcare roles to broaden the workforce base.
He added that the government is improving working conditions for health professionals to reduce the factors driving migration, while also adopting international best practices such as task-sharing among healthcare workers.
Salako further reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to increasing healthcare funding and called on international partners to provide more flexible support, as well as explore alternative financing models to boost infrastructure and workforce development.
He concluded by emphasising that global health challenges require collective solutions, noting that no country can tackle workforce shortages alone.
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