Don Urges Government to Improve Doctors’ Pay, Curb ‘Japa’ Syndrome
A retiring Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Adetola Olatunji, has urged the Federal and State Governments to take urgent action to improve the welfare and remuneration of medical doctors and other health professionals in Nigeria.
Prof. Olatunji, who is the immediate past Provost of the college, made the appeal during a valedictory lecture held in his honour at the university. He expressed deep concern over the worsening “japa” syndrome the mass emigration of Nigerian doctors and health workers in search of better working conditions abroad describing it as a major threat to the nation’s healthcare system.
According to him, poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, and lack of motivation have continued to drive qualified medical personnel out of the country, leaving hospitals grossly understaffed and overstretched.
“The government must do more than just acknowledge the problem. We are losing some of our brightest minds to countries that value and reward their expertise. If immediate steps are not taken to improve doctors’ pay and working conditions, the health sector will face an even more critical shortage of manpower,” he warned.
Prof. Olatunji, who has spent decades training medical professionals, lamented that many young doctors now see relocation as the only viable path to career fulfillment. He urged the government to prioritise investment in healthcare infrastructure, continuous training, and incentive packages that would make local practice more attractive.
He further called for collaboration between universities, teaching hospitals, and policymakers to ensure that medical education remains relevant to the country’s evolving health needs.
“Government must demonstrate commitment not just in words but in action. Doctors and other health workers need to feel valued and supported to deliver quality healthcare to Nigerians,” he added.
The professor also used the occasion to commend his colleagues and students for their dedication to the medical profession despite mounting challenges, expressing optimism that with the right policies, Nigeria’s health sector could still be revitalised.
His remarks come amid growing concern over the increasing rate of medical brain drain, with reports estimating that more than 10,000 Nigerian-trained doctors are currently practising abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
