President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to ongoing efforts to transform the country’s healthcare sector.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration, Tinubu said Nigeria needs the knowledge, innovation and experience of its skilled professionals overseas to build a world-class healthcare system.
“There is nowhere like home,” the President told the delegation, urging them to help strengthen healthcare delivery and encourage more Nigerian professionals abroad to reconnect with the country through partnerships, investments, knowledge exchange and permanent return where possible.
Tinubu recalled his own decision to return to Nigeria after working with Deloitte and Touche and Mobil, saying the experience reinforced his commitment to national development.
The President said healthcare remains a key pillar of his Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding access to quality medical services and reversing the brain drain through sustained investments in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure and improved welfare for health workers.
He also praised the diaspora doctors for conducting free medical outreach programmes across the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and other parts of the country. According to him, the initiatives provided specialist consultations, surgeries, health education and other life-saving interventions to thousands of Nigerians.
Earlier, NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the visiting medical professionals were committed to supporting the Federal Government’s healthcare delivery plan under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She noted that although many Nigerians had built successful careers abroad, they remained eager to contribute to national development by sharing their expertise and supporting improvements in the health sector.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, also commended the diaspora professionals, describing their commitment as evidence that Nigerians abroad were embracing the government’s healthcare reforms.
The delegation included Dr Jide Menakaya, Dr Kunle Akanbi, Dr Uche Menakaya, Dr Itua Iriogbe, Afekhide Omoti, Dr Cliff Ike, Dr Gertie Anyanwoke, Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr Hamid Balogun, Dr Sadiya Gumi, Dr Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr Emilia Iwu, Chike Nweke, Wendy Olayinka, Dr Timileyin Oluseye, Dr Charles Adekunle and Tayo Erogbogbo.
