Government launches programme to recruit 50,000 overseas medics into healthcare system

The Federal Government has announced plans to tap into the expertise of over 50,000 Nigerian doctors and thousands of other healthcare professionals in the diaspora, as part of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026, aimed at bolstering the country's health system.

n

This initiative was a key focus of the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, under the theme "Harnessing Global Diaspora Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development" on Friday.

n

According to Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nigeria's diaspora is a crucial strategic asset, and the government is determined to leverage its expertise beyond remittances and investment, describing it as one of the country's greatest assets.

n

The DHII is designed to harness the expertise, innovation, and professional networks of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad through various means, including knowledge transfer, specialist medical outreach, capacity building, clinical mentorship, research collaboration, and health workforce development, as outlined by Enikanolaiye.

n

These interventions are already yielding positive results, improving healthcare access, enhancing service quality, reducing health disparities, and advancing universal health coverage across the country, according to the minister.

n

Enikanolaiye emphasized that strong health systems are essential for economic growth, social stability, and national resilience, and that connecting global Nigerian medical expertise with local healthcare needs will help build a healthier and more prosperous nation.

n

The minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' commitment to strengthening ties with Nigerians abroad and commended Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the commission's management for advancing diaspora engagement through initiatives like the DHII.

n

Dabiri-Erewa noted that NiDCOM has transitioned "from policy to impact" since its establishment, and Nigerians in the diaspora now have a stronger voice in government, with the Federal Executive Council approving the National Diaspora Policy 2021.

n

Almost all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have appointed State Diaspora Focal Point Officers to coordinate diaspora affairs, and progress has been made on the National Diaspora Database, developed in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission, according to Dabiri-Erewa.

n

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the achievements of the DHII, including medical missions conducted by diaspora physician associations across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, providing specialist services in areas such as maternal and child healthcare, sickle cell screening, emergency surgery, and neurosurgery.

n

Diaspora medical groups have also equipped hospitals and primary healthcare centres with medical equipment worth billions of naira, and the Diaspora Bridge Programme has brought academics home for lectures and sabbaticals, as announced by Dabiri-Erewa.

n

A new Silicon Valley Tech Bridge partnership with San José State University has been established to train young Nigerians in emerging technologies, and diaspora remittances have increased from $17bn in 2019 to more than $21bn in 2025, according to Dabiri-Erewa.

n

Investment summits have been scheduled for Abuja and Toronto in August, and a partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria will provide affordable housing opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora, with the initiative set to be launched in the United Kingdom next month.

n

Dabiri-Erewa recalled the role played by Nigerians abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, and humanitarian crises, as well as NiDCOM's coordination of the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from Sudan, Ukraine, Libya, and South Africa.

n

The commission has intervened in over 1,200 cases involving detained or mistreated Nigerians abroad and has commended diaspora advocates for supporting the rescue of trafficking victims, including the recent return of a Nigerian girl trafficked to Cairo, Egypt.

n

Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the National Assembly to expedite consideration and passage of the diaspora voting bill, which would enable Nigerians abroad to participate in elections, and disclosed that the commission has honoured 91 Nigerians abroad with Diaspora Excellence and National Diaspora Merit Awards over the past four years.

n

Plans are underway to establish a Diaspora Investment Fund and a National Diaspora Health Corps, aimed at engaging 1,000 diaspora health professionals annually, as announced by Dabiri-Erewa.

n

Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting diaspora engagement and described Nigerians abroad as "our ambassadors at large," who are building hospitals, training doctors, and projecting a positive image of Nigeria globally.

n

Dabiri-Erewa concluded by saying, "We are one nation, one people, the journey continues and the best is yet to come," as she looked to the future of diaspora engagement.