Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, along with key federal officials, have called on Nigerian doctors in the diaspora to contribute their expertise and resources toward revitalizing the country’s health sector and reversing the trend of medical tourism.

The call was made during the commissioning of Block C—the first of six blocks of the student hostel project at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).

The facility was donated by Dr. Philip Ozuah, a 1985 alumnus of the college and President/CEO of Montefiore Medicine in New York, USA.

Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; and Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

They praised Dr. Ozuah’s philanthropic contribution and urged other Nigerians abroad to emulate his gesture in supporting healthcare and education in Nigeria.

Governors Makinde and Mbah, represented by their deputies—Bayo Lawal and Ifeanyi Ossai respectively—stressed the importance of diaspora involvement in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.

They emphasized that public institutions globally thrive on the generosity of their alumni and urged collective efforts to expand infrastructure and medical training capacity.

Lawal highlighted the urgent need for collaboration among stakeholders to improve medical education and facilities, while Ossai noted that state governments are ready to partner with NIDCOM to address the “Japa” phenomenon and retain skilled health professionals in the country.

Minister of Education, Dr. Sununu—represented by Mr. Adewale Aderibigbe of the Directorate of Senior Secondary Education—described the Philip Ozuah Hostel as a symbol of unwavering commitment to national development. He called it a beacon of philanthropy, patriotism, and excellence.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate—represented by Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen—said the hostel would support federal efforts to increase the admission quota for health workers and address the brain drain by upgrading critical infrastructure in medical schools.

Speaking at the event, NIDCOM Chair, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, emphasized the potential of diaspora doctors to transform Nigeria into a destination for medical care.

“In the last four years, about 10 hospitals have been built by diaspora doctors, including the recently commissioned African Medical Center of Excellence in Abuja,” she said.

“We can reverse medical tourism if we organize and harness the expertise of our health practitioners both at home and abroad.”

She added that with proper structure and collaboration, Nigeria could build a world-class medical center of excellence that attracts patients instead of losing them to foreign hospitals.

Also speaking, the Consul General of the Nigerian Mission in New York praised Dr. Ozuah’s commitment to Nigeria, describing him as a model of diaspora engagement and patriotic philanthropy.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended Ozuah for his legacy and commitment to medical education, noting that quality student accommodation is essential to academic excellence and professional development.

Emeritus Prof. Samuel Omokhodion, President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide (ICOMAA-WW), noted that the $1 million hostel project will house 168 students and stands as a testament to alumni dedication and shared vision for a stronger medical education system in Nigeria.