From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has challenged medical experts across West Africa to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the persistent migration of skilled health professionals abroad, warning that the trend is placing growing pressure on healthcare systems in the sub-region.
Tinubu said the departure of trained medical personnel was limiting access to essential health services and increasing the workload of the professionals left behind, urging the West African College of Physicians (WACP) to make the challenge a priority at its forthcoming annual scientific meeting.
The President spoke on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after being conferred with the fellowship of the WACP in recognition of his administration’s contributions to health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.
According to the statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also called for stronger regional efforts to prevent and contain infectious diseases, citing the challenges facing African countries, including the threat of Ebola.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now, we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections,” the President said.
He urged the college to use its forthcoming conference to develop measures capable of addressing the factors driving medical professionals out of West Africa and strengthening healthcare delivery across the region.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.
He commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for leading the reforms, urging medical professionals to support efforts to improve the country’s healthcare system.
“We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job,” he said.
The President acknowledged the contributions of medical professionals to medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and the development of resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging health threats.
The WACP conferred the fellowship on Tinubu through its Council, describing the honour as recognition of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and strengthening medical development.
The College President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the fellowship was reserved for presidents whose policies and interventions had made a significant impact on healthcare delivery and the health of people in West Africa.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in healthcare delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” Ka said.
The Secretary-General of the WACP, Professor Musa Dankyau, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said the decision to honour Tinubu reflected the college’s recognition of the administration’s health sector reforms.
Dankyau disclosed that the college had conferred the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history, with former Gambian President Dawda Jawara among its previous recipients. He said former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received the honour in 1991.
“This is the second time we are coming back to Nigeria to present to you, Mr President,” he said.
According to Dankyau, the college recognised the administration’s investments in health infrastructure, improved access to healthcare, emergency services, primary healthcare and universal health coverage.
He put investments in the sector at more than $2.2 billion, saying the government had also made progress in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness.
Dankyau cited recent assurances by the health minister that Nigeria was prepared to respond to Ebola, saying the development had helped reassure medical professionals in the sub-region.
The fellowship comes as Nigeria and other West African countries continue to grapple with the challenge of retaining skilled medical personnel amid the demand for healthcare workers in other parts of the world.
The WACP is expected to celebrate its 50th anniversary and hold its Annual General Scientific Meeting from October 26 to 28, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for medical professionals to deliberate on healthcare challenges and developments across the sub-region.
Those present at the State House ceremony included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Ali Pate; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.
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