Benjamin Olowojebutu: Poor Pay, Insecurity Driving Nigerian Medical doctors Overseas In Droves
The primary Vice President of the Nigerian Medical Affiliation, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu has raised issues over the growing emigration of Nigerian medical doctors, citing poor remuneration and insecurity as key drivers of the pattern.
Talking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Dr. Olowojebutu famous that worsening working circumstances, together with an overstretched doctor-to-patient ratio and publicity to office violence, are pushing many medical professionals to hunt alternatives overseas.
This follows information from the Common Medical Council exhibiting that no less than 4,690 Nigerian medical doctors have left the nation for higher working circumstances overseas, particularly in the UK.
“One of many main elements that’s pushing everyone away is insufficient remuneration. Medical doctors don’t really feel very blessed working in Nigeria. They don’t receives a commission correctly. Medical doctors really feel that they don’t seem to be being given the worth they provide to the financial system and provides to the state.
“Quantity two is safety. Some medical doctors depart their properties to go and do calls at evening; they get maimed, they die, and no one remembers them. Each time we have a good time Nigerian Armed Forces Day, no one celebrates Nigerian Healthcare Day the place medical doctors are maimed and die within the line of labor. Some medical doctors are crushed and assaulted by sufferers’ kinfolk when there’s a difficulty within the hospital. These are the issues that push folks away from working on this nation,” he revealed.
Dr. Olowojebutu additionally mentioned pressing reforms are wanted in Nigeria’s healthcare system, notably round remuneration and dealing circumstances for medical doctors. He burdened the necessity for a correctly reviewed Collective Bargaining Contract to replicate present {economic} realities, alongside improved allowances, tax aid, and broader incentives to retain medical professionals within the nation.
“There’s a coverage of employer-employee relationship with the federal government. Each three years, there should be a sit-down of a CBA (Collective Bargaining Contract) to barter new salaries as related to the {economic} realities of the nation. However the final time we had this accomplished in Nigeria was 14 years in the past. We’re glad that now there’s an ongoing CBA that began in August 2025 by the federal government. Allow them to shortly end the CBA, enhance the wage of medical doctors, and provides them extra allowances,” he suggested.
Acknowledging latest enhancements in medical remuneration, whereas additionally noting that the present administration has begun addressing long-standing wage inconsistencies, The NMA First Vice President counseled the correction of excellent allowances below the 2011 Treaty, describing it as a constructive step by authorities.
“Within the final 14 years, there was a significant distortion within the Treaty we had with the federal government concerning our salaries and remunerations. Nevertheless, this authorities has corrected that inconsistency. Our skilled allowances have now been correctly improved to replicate the 2011 Treaty. That 14-year-old Treaty is simply being paid this 12 months; the federal government has corrected that half, and we salute them for it,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, he burdened the necessity for sustained reforms via common wage opinions, improved welfare packages, tax aid, higher insurance coverage, and stronger incentives to retain healthcare employees within the nation.
“What we’re saying now could be that the consistency of salaries ought to be primarily based on an Treaty each three years. Let the federal government make that constant. When our academics completed medical faculty again within the day, they completed with a automobile, a home, and a household—which means they’d comfort and have been celebrated by the federal government. Proper now, that’s not occurring. Even insurance coverage shouldn’t be accessible for medical medical doctors in that very same manner. So, these are the issues we pray for from this authorities: Give satisfactory remuneration consideration to medical doctors. Present tax rebates and tax aid,” he highlighted.
Noting that some medical doctors within the nation battle with fundamental dwelling bills, Dr. Olowojebutu highlighted that Nigerian medical doctors at present earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000 month-to-month, which he mentioned is inadequate in comparison with the price of dwelling, together with hire and transportation.
“To offer you figures, you could have a health care provider incomes between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000, whereas their home hire for a 12 months is about ₦2 million. Most medical doctors can’t afford to purchase a correct automobile anymore; they leap from Danfo to BRT. There aren’t any transportation allowances for them.”
He added that the continued Collective Bargaining Contract talks supply an opportunity to introduce new allowances, together with rural and scarce-skill incentives.
“However let me provide you with a reassurance going ahead: the federal government has given us a possibility to do a Collective Bargaining Contract (CBA). We’ve got put collectively a proposal for newer allowances to encourage medical doctors and to scale back what we name ‘inner Japa’ Some medical doctors working in rural communities or native governments wish to transfer to the town as a result of they imagine the funds and remuneration are higher there. What occurs to our households in these rural communities?”, he quizzed.
He additional burdened the necessity for stronger accountability in Nigeria’s major healthcare system, questioning the standard and staffing of many amenities throughout native governments.
“One of many issues on this nation is correct accountability; we frequently love to do what we name a ‘facade.’ We’ve got 774 native governments in Nigeria, however what number of of these Major Well being Facilities (PHCs) are manned by a medical physician?”
He suggested that Major Well being Centres ought to be physician-led, with correctly skilled medical doctors in cost, supported by satisfactory incentives akin to rural and scarce-skill allowances to enhance service supply.
“The main focus of the NMA is to have a physician-led Major Healthcare Heart. Medical doctors ought to lead the power to supply worth for the folks, however you need to adequately compensate them with rural and scarce-skill allowances. They should really feel cherished and engaged. It’s not nearly constructing amenities; it’s about equipping these amenities with medical doctors who can lead the change we wish,” he mentioned.
Favour Odima
Times Nigeria