Brain Drain To Brain Gain: Health Ministry Backs Ethical Migration Plan
Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, Nigeria
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare hosted a strategic meeting on 5 August 2025 at its Abuja headquarters with Nurses Across Borders (NAB), a diaspora-led non-governmental organization collaborating with the Ministry’s Diaspora Unit to develop Nigeria’s healthcare migration policy and implementation plan.
According to a press statement issued on 13 August 2025 by the Ministry’s Director of Media, Alaba Balogun, the meeting’s video—circulated by a faction of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) and presented as evidence of Ministry endorsement—has been misrepresented. The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, clarified that no such endorsement was given.
“This Ministry will only work with reputable, experienced, and credible organizations to design a framework for ethical migration,” Dr. Salako affirmed. “Our priority is to protect Nigeria’s healthcare system while empowering our professionals to explore opportunities abroad without compromising national interest.”
At the meeting, NAB presented case studies from countries such as the Philippines and parts of the Middle East, showcasing effective and ethical approaches to healthcare worker migration. The delegation included foreign partners and Nigerians in the diaspora—among them individuals identifying as NIDOE members—who expressed interest in potential collaboration. The Ministry emphasized that such expressions of interest do not constitute an official partnership or endorsement of any NIDO Europe faction.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian health workers both at home and abroad, while respecting the autonomy of all diaspora associations. By leveraging the skills, goodwill, and resources of Nigerians worldwide, it aims to turn the challenge of brain drain into a sustainable opportunity for brain gain—strengthening the nation’s health system for generations to come.