Nigerian Doctors in the US Push for Visa Policy Changes to Strengthen Healthcare Access

A coalition of Nigerian-American physicians and health policy advocates is urging U.S. lawmakers to remove immigration barriers preventing qualified foreign-trained doctors from serving in underserved communities across the country.

The Nigerian Physician Advocacy Group (NPAG), a national network of doctors and health professionals, recently concluded a high-level engagement with members of the U.S. Congress. The delegation met with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to propose practical reforms that would make it easier for international medical graduates particularly from Nigeria to remain and practice in the United States after their residency training.

Among those who received the group were Representatives Jonathan Jackson, Dan Crenshaw, James Baird, and Chris Smith, as well as Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and others. The warm bipartisan reception was seen as a hopeful signal for future reforms.

“Nigerian doctors are often the first to serve in rural counties and urban centers where care is desperately needed,” said Dr. Susan Edionwe, who led the NPAG team. “They are already filling crucial gaps in the system, and yet visa restrictions continue to shut many of them out.”

One of the group’s central appeals is the passage of the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1201). If approved, the bill would allow more foreign-trained physicians on J-1 visas to stay in the U.S. after completing residency provided they work in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

NPAG also raised the alarm about growing immigration roadblocks, including a surge in J-1 visa denials and a freeze in interview scheduling for student visa applicants. In 2023 alone, 32 Nigerian applicants were turned down under Section 214(b), despite meeting financial and academic criteria and having confirmed hospital placements in the U.S.

“These are not just aspiring doctors; they are highly skilled individuals ready to strengthen both local and international health systems,” Edionwe noted.

Beyond immigration reform, the coalition expressed concern over cutbacks to U.S.-supported medical aid programs in Nigeria, such as PEPFAR. They warned that delays in drug distribution and funding gaps could reverse years of progress in disease control and public health.

NPAG is positioning itself to help bridge this gap, offering diaspora-led medical missions and public health programs to supplement traditional aid. The group emphasized that Nigerian-American doctors are uniquely placed to serve as both healthcare providers and diplomatic partners, thanks to their deep cultural ties and U.S. medical training.

With the cost of educating a single American doctor ranging between $120,000 and $600,000, NPAG pointed out that Nigerian professionals arrive fully trained, reducing the burden on the U.S. medical education system. Today, it’s estimated that Nigerians make up about 60% of Black doctors in the U.S.a statistic that underscores their significant role in diversifying and strengthening the nation’s healthcare workforce.

“America faces a healthcare access crisis,” Edionwe added. “We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re saying: let us help fix it.”

NPAG continues to advocate on behalf of more than 30 Nigerian medical graduates currently seeking placements in the U.S. The group described them not only as clinicians, but as valuable contributors to global health diplomacy and innovation.