Experts Warn of Health System Collapse as ‘Japa’ Drains Workforce

Experts in the health sector have warned that the continuous migration of medical professionals, popularly known as “Japa”, poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system.

They gave the warning during the quadrennial Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Memorial Lecture, organised by the IFEMED Journal Club under the Obafemi Awolowo University Medical Students’ Association, held on Thursday, at the university’s Ile-Ife campus.

The event, themed around addressing the exodus of healthcare workers, drew top dignitaries, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Muhammed, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, John Okeniyi, and Kayode Ijadunola, former Vice Chancellor of Elizade University and keynote speaker, among others.

In his address, Okeniyi, representing the minister, said the Japa trend “undermines the legacy of the late Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, who believed in the integrity of the Nigerian patient to receive the highest standards of care.”

He, however, expressed optimism that the “reverse Japa trend,” where some professionals are returning home, shows that ongoing reforms are beginning to yield results.

Chairman of the occasion, Roger Makanjuola, offered a heartfelt reflection on his close relationship with Ransome-Kuti, describing him as “absolutely incorruptible, he never stole one kobo.”

He added that the late professor’s legacy of transparency and service still reflects in the functioning systems at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, urging Nigerians to protect the health sector Ransome-Kuti worked to build.

Delivering a keynote address, Ijadunola lamented the Federal Government’s “tokenistic” approach to halting the mass exodus of doctors and other health professionals.

“Any country that does not take seriously the migration of its critical human resource and resorts to tokenism as an abating remedial strategy seriously undermines its self-sabotaging instinct,” he warned.

Citing alarming statistics, he noted that Nigeria currently has only 1.83 skilled health workers per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organisation’s standard of 4.45 per 1,000 and that out of 55,000 licensed doctors, about 17,000 have already left the country.

He traced the migration crisis to decades of neglect, noting that as far back as 1988, under General Ibrahim Babangida, a presidential committee was set up to tackle brain drain among health professionals disillusioned by poor infrastructure and training conditions.

To reverse the trend, he called for merit-based promotion systems, better remuneration, and opportunities for diaspora professionals to contribute to the local healthcare system.

“By building stronger institutions and confronting corruption through transparency and efficient management, Nigeria can once again rebuild its health sector,” he said.

The lecture also featured the award ceremony for the 6th National Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Memorial Essay Competition, themed “Global Health Workforce Migration and Its Impact on the Nigerian Health Sector.”

From over 200 submissions, Yusuf Zabairub of Ahmadu Bello University emerged first, Buhari Ahmad of the University of Ilorin placed second while Abubakar Daniel Bade of the University of Maiduguri came third. Contestants ranked fourth to tenth received consolation prizes.

The Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Memorial Lecture is held every four years.

There has been a growing exodus of healthcare workers leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

Many have lamented the poor welfare of health workers across the country.

On Sunday, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors said it would embark on a nationwide indefinite strike starting from November 1.

This followed the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government.

The NARD President, Muhammad Suleiman, said that the association’s National Executive Council decided after reviewing the government’s response to their demands during its virtual emergency meeting.

Suleiman said on Monday that the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers nationwide an estimated ₦38bn in accumulated allowances.

He cautioned that resident doctors have already started ward rounds and patient handovers in preparation for a nationwide total and indefinite strike set to begin on Saturday, November 1, 2025.