Nowhere like home, Tinubu urges diaspora health workers to return

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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to encourage more of their colleagues abroad to return home and contribute to national development.

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The President made the appeal on Friday while receiving members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations, led by the Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the State House in Abuja.

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Drawing from his personal experience of studying and working in the United States before returning to Nigeria, Tinubu said his journey should serve as an example to Nigerians living abroad.

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“I’ve been through that journey. I’m home, and I can tell you, there’s nowhere like home. I’ve experienced being in America. I’ve taken the best of America in my chosen profession, accountancy and finance.

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“I can’t forget the Standard Oil Building in Chicago and my first week there. But since I came back from Mobil to now, it has been a very good challenge to commit and endure the possibility of turning Nigeria around.

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“So many of you have seen the hazards of the other side of the world. You’ve experienced the tribulation and challenges, and you’ve come back home to feel it and seal it,” he said.

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The President urged members of the delegation to persuade other Nigerian healthcare professionals overseas to return and support the country’s development.

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“My friends who are still there, try to attract them home. But the best way to demonstrate to you is for me to commit myself to my agenda, the Renewed Hope, so that the hope of Nigerians of having a better environment, better education, better development and prosperity can be realised,” he stated.

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Tinubu described the contributions of diaspora doctors as invaluable, saying their efforts would help build a stronger future for coming generations.

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“Your children will see the foundation of this country as belonging to them, and the future belonging to them is what we are working hard for. Your coming to help is immeasurable,” he said.

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The president also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling poverty and improving the welfare of Nigerians.

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“Poverty is not acceptable. We won’t accept it. We will fight it. We will bring prosperity. We will bring care to our people,” he said.

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Speaking on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Tinubu said the country’s political system was still evolving and should be viewed against the backdrop of older democracies.

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“If you look at 250 years of American democracy and the centuries of British governance, we are still very young. We are in our infancy. What must we do? Strong determination and stay focused,” he added.

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The president also referenced the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as an example of what unity could achieve.

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“The last World Cup was a great lesson in diversity and camaraderie. The celebration of one item, soccer, in the United States.

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“I believe that changed even the perception of Trump himself. He said next time it must be America only.

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“And I pass it on to you, next time it should be Nigeria. We should all celebrate this country,” he said.

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Tinubu also directed NiDCOM Director-General Abike Dabiri-Erewa to prepare personalised letters of appreciation for members of the delegation. He also instructed his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, to coordinate the exercise and present the letters for his signature.

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The president further commended the efforts of the health sector team, particularly the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, for advancing his administration’s healthcare agenda.

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“I see Salako and the other members of the team are really working hard to actualise the dream. Please be ready to move on,” he said.

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Friday’s visit coincides with the National Diaspora Day Celebration 2026 holding from July 24 – 25 at the State House Conference Centre.

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The celebration is organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, with the Theme ‘Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development’.

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