Tinubu Approves National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to Address Brain Drain in Nigeria’s Health Sector

President Bola Tinubu has approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s health human resources.

The policy aims to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration, which has resulted in many Nigerian healthcare workers leaving the country for greener pastures.

“This afternoon, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in-Council, approved a landmark policy set to transform healthcare human resource management in Nigeria,” said Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, on his X handle on Monday.

Pate stated that the policy is a comprehensive strategy to address the push factors driving health worker migration, including inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and poor salary structure. “This policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration,” he said.

Pate highlighted key aspects of the policy, including the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which sets a framework for regular reviews of working conditions and ensures that health workers receive the recognition and rewards they deserve. “By fostering an environment conducive to professional growth and stability, the policy aims to retain top talent within Nigeria,” he noted.

The policy also focuses on digital health infrastructure, capacity building, and the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the diaspora. “Capacity building is at the heart of this policy. It recognises the importance of continuous professional development, with strategic partnerships and opportunities for international training to equip our healthcare professionals with cutting-edge skills,” Pate said.

Pate emphasized that the policy addresses the importance of work-life balance, including provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours. “Recognising the importance of work-life balance, the policy includes provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, especially for younger doctors,” he said.

The governance of the policy will be overseen by the National Human Resources for Health Programme within the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with state governments. Pate expressed his confidence in the policy’s ability to secure the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system and catalyze the transformation of the health sector.

“With this decisive action, the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration