President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute to the transformation of the country’s healthcare sector.
The President made the appeal while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide and the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu said Nigeria needs the expertise, innovation and experience of its highly skilled professionals abroad to build a stronger and world-class healthcare system.
“I have been through that journey. I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home,” the President said.
He praised the visiting doctors for returning to provide free medical services across different parts of the country, describing their commitment as a reflection of patriotism and humanity.
“It is a very great joy to see that you are coming back… to help your country meet the needs of our people. I thank all of you,” Tinubu said.
The President recalled his own decision to return to Nigeria after working with Deloitte and Touche and Mobil, saying he came back to contribute to national development.
Tinubu reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda places healthcare at the centre of national development, adding that the Federal Government is implementing reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, improve access to quality medical services and encourage greater collaboration with Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the reforms include increased investment in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure, improved welfare and policies aimed at reversing the country’s brain drain.
The President urged the visiting healthcare professionals to encourage more Nigerians abroad to reconnect with the country through partnerships, investments, knowledge exchange and, where possible, permanent return.
He also commended the doctors for conducting medical outreach programmes across the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and other parts of Nigeria, providing specialist care, surgeries, consultations and health education to thousands of people.
Earlier, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the visiting healthcare professionals were eager to support the government’s healthcare reforms and contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Some of our people are leaving, but they’re also coming back with knowledge and expertise to make Nigeria a better place,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the commitment shown by Nigerian medical professionals abroad demonstrated growing confidence in the administration’s healthcare agenda.
“These are very motivated, very ready, very prepared Nigerians who want to give back to Nigeria,” Salako said.
The delegation included several Nigerian medical experts from different countries who recently participated in medical outreach programmes across the country.
