Obasanjo: Motivate Doctors to Stay, Curb Japa Trend

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for urgent government action to retain Nigerian-trained medical professionals, stressing that improving working conditions is critical to discouraging the ongoing exodus of doctors and nurses abroad.

Obasanjo made the remarks while commissioning the newly renovated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Zamfara State on Tuesday. He was invited by the state governor, Dauda Lawal.

Speaking on the widely discussed trend known as “Japa” a term used to describe the mass migration of Nigerians, particularly the youth, in search of better opportunities overseas Obasanjo highlighted the damaging impact of brain drain on Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.

“It’s not just about building hospitals,” he stated. “You must provide modern equipment and ensure medical personnel are properly motivated with fair remuneration. Without that, we can’t expect them to stay.”

Obasanjo commended Governor Lawal for the hospital’s facelift, describing it as a step in the right direction. However, he emphasized that such efforts must be matched with strategic investment in personnel and infrastructure to make them truly impactful.

“We need to create an environment that encourages our health workers to stay,” he added. “Renovating hospitals is important, but we also need to equip them and ensure that the staff are well taken care of. Only then can our healthcare system function effectively.”

The former president’s comments echo recent sentiments expressed by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who also condemned the Japa wave. Adesina warned that the mass migration of Africa’s youth represents a significant loss for the continent.

“Africa has over 465 million people aged between 15 and 35,” Adesina said. “If we fail to invest in their potential, we risk turning our demographic advantage into a crisis. The future of our young people must be built here in Africa not outsourced to Europe, America, or Asia.”

Both leaders urged governments at all levels to invest more in human capital development, particularly in the healthcare sector, to reverse the growing migration trend.