President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged medical experts in West Africa to find practical solutions to the persistent brain drain of health workers in the sub-region.
The President said the migration of skilled medical professionals to other parts of the world continues to put enormous pressure on healthcare systems in West Africa, limiting access to essential services and increasing workload on available personnel.
President Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (WACP).
He called on the leadership of the College to use its forthcoming 50th Anniversary and Annual General Scientific Meeting to develop sustainable solutions to the challenge.
“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. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,” Tinubu said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians, and commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Ali Pate, for driving the reforms.
“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.
President Tinubu was conferred with the Fellowship by the Council of the West African College of Physicians in recognition of his contributions to health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the College and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the fellowship is reserved for Presidents who have made outstanding marks in healthcare delivery in West Africa.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” Ka said.
The Secretary-General of the College, Prof. Musa Dankyau, said the award to Tinubu was only the eighth in the College’s 50-year history.
He noted that the first recipient was former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, while former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, received it in 1991.
Dankyau said the Council noted Tinubu’s investment of over $2.2 billion in primary healthcare and universal health coverage, as well as improvements in health infrastructure, access to care, emergency services, disease prevention and immunization.
“At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness,” he said.
The WACP also informed the President of its 50th Anniversary Celebration and Annual General Scientific Meeting scheduled for October 26 to 28, 2026 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Health, Prof. Pate, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas.