The Nigerian Medical Association’s state chapters in Bauchi, Kogi, Cross River, Kaduna and Ogun have asked local and federal authorities to upgrade working environments for physicians. These demands emerged during the 2026 Physicians’ Week, an annual gathering focused on securing the future of medical practice in the country. The event featured discussions on physician well-being and the adoption of digital health tools.
According to Punch, Dr Bello Abdullahi, who leads the Bauchi branch, highlighted issues such as heavy workloads and poor infrastructure. He argued that keeping staff requires fair wages and professional respect, rather than relying on national pride alone. The Bauchi group also pushed for the start of postgraduate training at the local specialist hospital to hold onto newly qualified doctors.
In Lokoja, Dr Mary Onyeche Obari, the Kogi state head, stressed that caring for doctors is essential for a sustainable health system. She warned that exhaustion is often wrongly viewed as dedication. Obari suggested practical fixes like better staffing, fair shifts and mental health support. She also pointed to artificial intelligence and telemedicine as ways to improve care delivery and reach remote areas.
Dr Ukam Edadi, the Cross River secretary, asked the government to allow 40 newly hired doctors to start work quickly. He noted that the state university lacks a medicine program, which limits the local talent pool for a planned specialist facility. Meanwhile, Dr Aisha Mustapha, the Kaduna head, reported that the number of licensed doctors in her state has dropped from around 2,000 to 1,600. She described the current ratio of one doctor for every 6,000 residents as a critical challenge needing immediate action.
Leaders across these five regions identified low pay, insecurity and limited career growth as main reasons for the exodus. They jointly recommended aligning salaries, enhancing hospital safety and integrating digital systems to stabilize the medical workforce in Nigeria.