The Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu, states that poor pay and a lack of incentives are prompting Nigerian doctors and healthcare workers to leave the country for better job opportunities overseas.
Speaking on Thursday as he concluded his eight-year service at the hospital, Musa-Olomu said many doctors, despite completing their training in Nigeria, move to developed countries like the US and the UK, where salaries are significantly higher.
He explained that while the government is increasing medical school admissions and improving healthcare infrastructure, these efforts have not stopped the brain drain.
Nigerian doctors have the skills to perform advanced surgeries, including cancer removal, which is often associated with hospitals abroad.
However, their low salaries in Nigeria make it hard for them to stay.
Musa-Olomu gave an example from FMC Abeokuta, where doctors successfully separated cancer from nerves and bones, saving the patient’s life.
However, doctors in the hospital earn between ₦700,000 and ₦800,000 monthly, compared to about ₦10 million in developed countries.
This significant pay gap makes it challenging for doctors to support their families, particularly when many have children studying abroad.
He said the government must do more than just train medical personnel. It must offer better pay and incentives to retain skilled professionals.
According to him, doctors in the colonial era stayed in the country because they were paid well and respected.
Musa-Olomu also mentioned that during his tenure, FMC Abeokuta was upgraded with modern equipment and more qualified staff were hired.
He pointed out that the foundation had been laid for a medical university in Abeokuta, which would help improve healthcare in the region.
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