Recent data from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) indicates a significant exodus of medical professionals from Nigeria, with nearly 19,000 doctors leaving the country in the past 20 years in pursuit of better opportunities abroad. The association's updates reveal that a substantial 3,974 doctors emigrated in 2024 alone. This alarming rate of departure is placing immense strain on Nigerian hospitals, leading to prolonged waiting times and extensive queues at medical centers.

Between 2005 and 2014, approximately 13,629 doctors sought opportunities abroad, driven by growing economic challenges within Nigeria. The Federal government's attempts to curb this brain drain have been largely unsuccessful, particularly as the economic situation worsened from 2015 onwards, prompting even more Nigerians to seek employment overseas. NARD's findings further highlight that 18,647 medical doctors have resigned to pursue better compensation in other countries, with many finding positions within the UK National Health Service (NHS).

The year 2024 marked a peak in medical doctor departures, with 3,974 resignations submitted across both private and public hospitals. A 2022 report from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) revealed a considerable imbalance in the distribution of doctors among different states. Nigeria currently has approximately 55,000 licensed doctors, according to the Federal Ministry of Health. Lagos leads with 7,385 doctors, followed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 4,453, Rivers with 2,194, Enugu with 2,070, and Oyo with 1,996.

In contrast, Taraba has only 201 doctors. Other states facing severe shortages include Jigawa (255), Zamfara (267), Kebbi (273), and Yobe (275). These shortages have critical implications for healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. The consequences include longer queues, frequent rescheduling of appointments, and increased instances of doctors not attending scheduled appointments in private hospitals, all contributing to a worsening healthcare crisis driven by the continuous migration of medical talent.

Healthcare professionals attribute these challenges to a significant lack of doctors, particularly specialists, resulting from the increasing rate of emigration among Nigerian medical practitioners. This ongoing talent drain is severely impacting the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across the nation.