Nigeria's doctors fume over five years of mandatory service
Nigeria's doctors furious over bill that targets five years of mandatory service
A new bill that would impose five years of mandatory service on Nigeria’s medical graduates is being opposed by the doctorsunion and civil society. The bill, which is aimed to stop the migration of doctors to the UK and the US, passed its second reading in the lower house of the Nigerian parliament last month. The bill is likely to be put to a public hearing in the next couple of days.
Brain-drain among Nigeria’s professionals
The Nigerian government, which is set to recoup the investment inthe country’s educational system, is working to solvethe issue of brain drain among Nigeria’s medical professionals.
Ganiyu Johnson, a lawmaker and leading advocate for the bill, in his address to the medical students and doctors said that “the government has invested so much money in training these medical doctors. If the government subsidised your tuition, the least we expect is that you can give back to society within the period of five years.”
Backlash by the medical community
The bill is deemed as being “obnoxious and outlandish” by the doctorsunion and civil society alike. Commenting on the matter, Dr Innocent Orji, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, said that “We are going to resist the bill. The bill should be withdrawn immediately. It is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Can't rip open my chest but...': On Day 11 of student protest, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren breaks silence
)
Why did FSSAI ban the sale of Old Monk, Antiquity Blue and other liquor brands?
)
'Words had single meaning': Udhayanidhi Stalin denies 'double meaning' remark on actress Trisha, claims he was 'treated like terrorist'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
‘India’s FCRA bill an attack on Christians, could hit bilateral ties,’ says US lawmaker
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Another assassination attempt? Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course ahead of presidential visit to LA
)
Punjab Assembly passes resolution against Centre's mandatory E20 petrol rollout
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Should not be bullied': CJP says movement will expand beyond protests. Politics, or something bigger?
)
WMO warns Super El Niño is set to become monstrous between Aug-Oct - This was 'only a warm-up act'
)
WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Spinner Sajid Khan helps Pakistan turn screw for series-levelling win against hosts
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Influencer killed on livestream: Mexican cartel boss' son asked dad to kill woman who broke up with him
)
Trump goes 'bing bing bing' 11 times within 5 seconds at Iran war briefing
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
'I believe in freedom of expression...': Shashi Tharoor clarifies on attending event where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address Gen Zs
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
)
Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand’s 'Sonam Wangchuk' fasting for protesting students?
)
Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen; all crew rescued
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Sujatha Vijayakumar? The producer defending daughter Aarti in Ravi Mohan divorce battle
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
Ghajini villain Pradeep Rawat passes away at 74 after battle with cancer
ALSO READ |The US imposes visa restrictions on Nigerians for undermining democratic process
Problems faced by the medical community
Despite the government promising to review pay every five years, strikes in the country’s health sector have become more frequent and prolonged in recent times.
From static wages to job insecurity, Chidiebere Echieh, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Calabar cited several reasons behind medical professionals leaving Nigeria and moving to the UK and the US.
WATCH |Nigeria's old currency can be used longer amid cash crisis
Echieh further added that despite graduating from medical school in 2007 and pursuing further training, his salary remains stagnant. As a senior surgeon with experience and skill, he is paid a salary of around £800 ($994) a month, which is far less than medical graduates in most developed countries.
He further commented that health technology in developed countries is another important factor that is contributing to medical graduates from Nigeria moving abroad. Doctors have reported a rise in trauma and depression, caused by too many avoidable deaths across Nigerian hospitals due to the unavailability of superior technology.
The World Health Organization (WHO) included Nigeria on its red list to discourage other countries from hiring from an already depleted medical workforce. The UK is the biggest recruiter of Nigerian doctors. Canada, the US and Saudi Arabia are next in line.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE