Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State
Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has urged Nigeria and other African nations to invest strategically in medical education, research and innovation to reverse the continent’s dependence on foreign healthcare.
Speaking at the Nigerian Medical Association’s Healthcare and Medical Expo 2.0 in Abuja, themed “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa,” Olowolafe emphasised that education-driven reforms are essential to strengthening local capacity and mitigating brain drain.
He noted that Nigerian-trained doctors excel globally, proving the strength of local training, but warned that without sustained investment, the healthcare system would continue to lose its best minds.
Olowolafe called for collaborations among universities, private investors, and professional bodies to drive innovation, and urged donors to fund local medical training rather than short-term foreign missions.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, stated that Nigeria loses over 30% of its annual budget, equivalent to the cost of medical tourism, identifying cancer, kidney, bone, and heart treatments as major drivers.
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) President, Prof Bala Audu, said the expo aims to promote Africa as a destination for advanced and affordable healthcare.
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