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Lagos State is facing a critical shortage of medical professionals due to mass migration, leading to a deficit of 30,000 health workers, according to Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health. Prof. Abayomi discussed the issue during the Lagos State University College of Medicine’s induction ceremony for its 18th set of graduating medical doctors and 8th set of graduating dental surgeons on Thursday, June 13.

Abayomi emphasized that the trend of health professionals seeking better opportunities abroad has significantly impacted the health sector’s manpower availability. “There is a shortage of about 30,000 medical professionals in Lagos,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for retaining medical talent within the state.

Addressing the new graduates, Prof. Abayomi encouraged them to specialize in various fields and contribute to improving Nigeria’s health sector. He acknowledged their desire to “japa” (relocate abroad) but urged them to consider ways to impact the Nigerian health system even if they choose to work overseas.

“You have the freedom of choice to ‘Japa’ out of Nigeria, but what we would like to see is a set of professionals that have the opportunity to ‘Japa’ and still have an impact on the ground,” Abayomi said. “And even better, those of you who choose to go abroad to expand your capabilities, you can make a deliberate decision to come back to Nigeria.”

The health commissioner’s remarks underscore the critical challenge of brain drain in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and the need for strategies to retain and attract medical professionals. The significant gap in the workforce highlights the urgency of addressing the root causes of migration and implementing policies that can enhance working conditions, professional growth opportunities, and overall support for healthcare workers in Lagos and Nigeria at large.