Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of University Teaching Hospitals have called on the Federal Government to improve the salaries and working conditions of health workers to curb the ongoing exodus of skilled professionals to other countries. They stressed that addressing these issues is critical to improving the nation’s healthcare system and ensuring better access and quality care.
The CMDs raised concerns during the 2025 budget defence at the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions. They highlighted the alarming rate at which tertiary hospitals are losing doctors, nurses, and other professionals due to poor remuneration and lack of adequate infrastructure.
Speaking to journalists, the CMD of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, noted the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure but emphasized that economic challenges and inadequate salaries were pushing workers to leave the country.
Adeyemo said, “The government is putting resources into renovating facilities and introducing new programs in hospitals, but we’re still losing healthcare workers. People are resigning daily because of the poor economic situation.
“We are also competing with the Lagos State government and top private hospitals that pay better than the Federal Government. To retain workers, salaries must be increased, and welfare packages improved.”
Similarly, the CMD of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Dr. Pokup Bupwatda, stressed that financial incentives alone are not enough. He highlighted the need for a conducive work environment and access to functional medical equipment.
“Satisfaction isn’t just about salaries. Having the right tools to work with and the opportunity to use professional skills also matter. For instance, our CT scan is obsolete. Though the government allocated funds for a replacement, inflation drove the price beyond the budget,” Bupwatda explained.
He expressed optimism in the Federal Government’s plans under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that improvements in the economy could lead to better healthcare funding and reduce the “Japa syndrome” — the mass emigration of health workers.
The CMDs also confirmed that recruitment processes are being initiated to fill staffing gaps, but they warned that without addressing the root causes of the exodus, retaining new hires would remain a challenge.
