Sokoto Foists Two-Year Mandatory Rural Service on State-Trained Medical Professionals

In a bold move to address healthcare disparities, the Sokoto State Government has introduced a mandatory two-year rural service scheme for all medical professionals trained by the state.

Announcing the policy on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, said the initiative applies to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health workers, who must now serve in rural health facilities upon graduation.

The goal, he noted, is to close the gap in healthcare delivery between urban and underserved areas.

“Too many of our professionals are concentrated in urban centres, while rural areas suffer from a dire lack of qualified personnel. This policy is designed to correct that imbalance,” Abubakar stated.

To encourage compliance and retention, the state will offer a 10 per cent salary bonus, improved health infrastructure, and enhanced security in rural locations. “We’re not just sending people to rural communities; we’re making those places attractive to work in,” the commissioner added.

He noted that the scheme forms part of Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s broader health reform agenda, which also includes aligning the salaries of state-employed medical personnel with federal standards—a reform that has been well received by health workers and labour unions.

Abubakar disclosed that since the adjustment in salary structure, several medical professionals who had tendered resignation letters have opted to remain in service, citing improved welfare and working conditions.

“These reforms are not just fixing today’s problems; they are laying a sustainable foundation for a healthier, more equitable future for Sokoto State,” he concluded.