ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged medical experts across West Africa to develop sustainable solutions to the growing brain drain in the health sector, warning that the migration of skilled professionals continues to place enormous pressure on healthcare systems in the region.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, shortly after being conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in recognition of his administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and promote medical development in Nigeria.
The President urged the college’s leadership to use its forthcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration and Annual General Scientific Meeting to proffer practical solutions to the persistent exodus of medical professionals from the sub-region.
He noted that the departure of skilled health workers had reduced access to essential medical services and increased the workload of the limited number of professionals remaining in the system.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else,” Tinubu said, while expressing concern over emerging public health threats, including Ebola.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient for Nigerians.
He commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for his role in driving the reforms.
“We, as a government, are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job,” he said.
Tinubu also praised medical professionals for their contributions to humanity through research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions and efforts to build resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to existing and emerging health challenges.
He thanked the WACP leadership for finding him worthy of the prestigious fellowship.
The College President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, said the honour was reserved for presidents whose policies and actions had made significant contributions to healthcare delivery and improved the health of people across West Africa.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in healthcare delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” Ka said.
The WACP Secretary-General and spokesperson for the delegation, Professor Musa Dankyau, explained that the decision to honour Tinubu reflected the college’s recognition of his administration’s commitment to far-reaching health sector reforms.
He disclosed that the college had conferred the fellowship only eight times in its 50-year history, with former Gambian President Dawda Jawara among its earliest recipients.
According to him, former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, received the honour in 1991, making Tinubu the second Nigerian leader to be so recognised.
“So, this is the second time we are coming back to Nigeria to present to you, Mr President,” Dankyau said.
He listed investments in health infrastructure, improved access to medical services, emergency care, primary healthcare and universal health coverage among the factors considered by the college.
Dankyau also said more than $2.2 billion had been invested in the relevant areas to improve healthcare for Nigerians.
He further highlighted progress in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness, noting that the Federal Government had expressed readiness to respond to potential Ebola threats.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.
The WACP delegation also informed the President of its 50th anniversary celebration and Annual General Scientific Meeting scheduled for October 26 to 28, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.