Obasanjo: Want to Stop the Japa Trend? Start with Better Pay for Doctors.
- Home
- Obasanjo: Want to Stop the Japa Trend? Start with Better Pay for Doctors.
Obasanjo: Want to Stop the Japa Trend? Start with Better Pay for Doctors.
The “Japa” wave—a term now synonymous with young Nigerians leaving the country in search of greener pastures—continues to hit Nigeria’s healthcare sector hard. But former President Olusegun Obasanj
o believes there’s a way to slow it down: start treating healthcare workers better.
Speaking in Zamfara during the commissioning of the renovated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Obasanjo didn’t mince words. He said it’s not enough to just build hospitals; the government must also invest in the people who keep them running doctors, nurses, and other health workers.
“How do you hold them here without giving them a bit of incentive? You have to,” he said, referring to the growing number of trained professionals leaving the country.
The former president emphasized the need for proper equipment, good working conditions, and fair pay to encourage medical professionals to stay in Nigeria rather than seek better opportunities abroad.
Governor Dauda Lawal, who hosted Obasanjo at the event, was praised for taking concrete steps to improve healthcare in the state. But Obasanjo made it clear that this kind of effort needs to happen nationwide if Nigeria wants to retain its talent.
This sentiment was echoed by Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing president of the African Development Bank, who also recently spoke out against the “Japa” trend. According to Adesina, Africa has over 465 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35—a massive potential workforce that should be building the continent, not leaving it.
“I do not believe that the future of our young people lies in Europe, America, or anywhere else. It should lie in Africa,” Adesina stated.
Both leaders are calling for a shift: from merely talking about the brain drain to actually doing something about it. If Nigeria wants its healthcare system and its youth to thrive, the message is simple: invest in people, not just buildings.
Content & Editorial Manager – Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.
As the key driver of TokinPoint Media LTD’s editorial voice, the manager oversees content planning, assigns tasks to writers or editors, enforces deadlines, and ensures consistency across all platforms. She also plays a strategic role in aligning content with audience interests and search engine optimization (SEO) best practices.
Discover more from TokinPoint
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
- Share
Faith Kegh
Content & Editorial Manager - Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.
As the key driver of TokinPoint Media LTD's editorial voice, the manager oversees content planning, assigns tasks to writers or editors, enforces deadlines, and ensures consistency across all platforms. She also plays a strategic role in aligning content with audience interests and search engine optimization (SEO) best practices.