The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Oyo State has reported a severe shortage of medical professionals, with only 1,996 doctors currently serving an estimated population of 10 million residents. According to a report by Punch, this disparity results in a doctor-to-population ratio of approximately one physician for every 5,010 individuals. Dr. Olufemi Aworinde, the NMA chairman for the state, described this workforce as grossly inadequate to address the healthcare needs of the region's growing population.
The shortage is largely attributed to the 'Japa' syndrome, a term used to describe the mass emigration of skilled Nigerian workers. Aworinde told Punch that this brain drain has constrained healthcare delivery, leading to persistent vacancies, heavier workloads for remaining staff, and strained specialist services. The NMA chairman emphasized that the current staffing levels are insufficient to provide dignified care or allow doctors to practice at the standard they were trained to deliver.
Nationally, the crisis is even more pronounced. Punch reported that Nigeria currently has about 40,000 licensed doctors, a significant decline from the 55,000 recorded in 2024 by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate. This number is far below the estimated 300,000 doctors needed to serve a national population exceeding 240 million. A separate report cited by Punch, the State of Health of the Nation Report 2025, indicated that 20,966 health workers relocated abroad within a single year, including nearly 4,000 doctors.
To bridge the gap in Oyo State, the NMA has calculated that the region would need approximately 8,000 additional doctors to meet a planning target of 10 physicians per 10,000 residents. Aworinde urged the government to implement a funded, multi-year recruitment and retention plan that prioritizes underserved rural communities. He listed several factors fuelling the exodus, including remuneration that struggles to keep pace with inflation, delays in implementing professional allowances, and inadequate staffing.
The NMA chairman also highlighted concerns regarding workplace safety, limited equipment, and uncertainty about career progression. He called for the prompt implementation of approved remuneration and outstanding commitments to resident doctors. Aworinde stated that retaining doctors is an investment in the health and safety of the people of Oyo State, rather than a favor to the medical profession. He recommended that hospitals be equipped with functional diagnostics and safe working environments to support the remaining workforce.