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Nigerian Doctors Need Fair Pay to Stay – NMA Urges Government Action
- NMA calls for standardized pay to retain doctors and curb brain drain.
- Over 50% of Nigerian doctors have emigrated in the past decade.
- NMA urges fair, equitable pay across rural and urban centers.
The Vice President of the association, Benjamin Olowojebutu, made this statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos.
Mr. Olowojebutu noted that stabilizing the healthcare workforce through fair and equitable pay would ensure a resilient and effective system, ready to serve future generations.
He emphasized that healthcare is about saving lives and maintaining a sustainable system that attracts and retains the best talent. However, he acknowledged that Nigeria, like many other nations, faces persistent challenges in achieving this.
NMA
He referred to a report by the NMA, which revealed that over 50 percent of Nigeria’s qualified doctors have emigrated in the past decade, a figure that continues to rise annually.
Mr. Olowojebutu lamented that this trend drains human resources, weakens the healthcare system’s foundation, and places immense strain on those who remain.
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He stated that without a healthy foundation of skilled personnel, the healthcare system cannot function effectively, let alone deliver quality care to Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens.
“We need a nationwide salary structure with a uniform base pay that ensures healthcare workers receive equitable compensation for the same work, which should be adjusted for inflation over time,” he said.
“Whether they serve in rural or urban centers, or in public or private institutions, doctors and healthcare workers should receive fair and consistent compensation.”
He added that this consistency fosters predictability, builds trust, and strongly incentivizes doctors to remain in Nigeria rather than seek opportunities abroad.
The proposed structure, he said, should include well-defined increments based on experience, specialization, and years of service.
Mr. Olowojebutu highlighted that countries successful in retaining healthcare talent often emphasize equitable pay across different regions.
“For instance, Canada and the United Kingdom use region-adjusted salary structures to ensure no doctor feels economically disadvantaged based on where they choose to practice. This model promotes a healthy distribution of healthcare workers and encourages professionals to serve in less desirable or more remote areas.”
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He further explained that the structure should provide clear career progression and incentives for further specialization and continuous learning, which could encourage doctors to remain within the country’s healthcare system.
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Mr. Olowojebutu added that universal remuneration creates an environment of trust between healthcare professionals and the government.
“For too long, doctors and healthcare workers have felt disconnected from the policies and plans set by government authorities,” he said.
“A standardized pay structure builds a bridge, affirming the government’s commitment to supporting the healthcare workforce.”
“In return, healthcare professionals are more likely to trust and commit to the national healthcare agenda, contributing their skills and ideas to a system that values and invests in them.”
He emphasized that the government’s commitment to this would promote sustainable investment in the well-being of doctors and healthcare workers, as well as the health and future of Nigeria.
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