…President: There’s No Place Like Home as Nigerian Doctors Abroad Pledge to Return
By Eshioromeh Sebastian
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a personal appeal to Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora, urging them to return home and lend their expertise to the transformation of the nation’s healthcare system under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President made the call on Friday when he received a delegation of Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide at the State House, Abuja, as part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration.
The event brought together top government officials, including Minister of Information Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications Sunday Dare.
In a heartfelt address, Tinubu assured the visiting medics that his administration was serious about reversing the tide of brain drain through sustained investments in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure, and improved welfare packages for health workers.
“It is a very great joy to see that you are coming back to facilitate your single motivation to help your country meet the needs of our people,” the President said. “The medical outreaches, seeing indivisible commitment to humanity, is part of your singular oath and commitment in life. I thank all of you.”
Drawing from his personal story, Tinubu recounted how he returned to Nigeria after stints with Deloitte & Touche and Mobil, choosing to contribute to nation-building rather than remain abroad. “I have been through that journey, I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home,” he said. “Some people built the society where you are; they have their hands on their plough, their focus was to develop their nation and their continent.”
The President did not mince words about the challenges facing Africa, describing poverty and lack of development as the continent’s greatest enemies. But he struck an optimistic tone, urging the doctors to see Nigeria as “the heart of Africa” and a land ripe for transformation.
“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,” Tinubu stated. “And that your hope that this part of the continent will change for good, for better, for an improved hospitable environment, so that one day 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.”
The President commended the delegation for their recent medical outreaches across the North-East, North-West, South-East, and South-West, which brought specialist care, surgeries, and life-saving interventions to thousands of Nigerians.
He urged them to serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s renewed optimism, encouraging more of their colleagues abroad to reconnect with home through partnerships, investments, knowledge exchange, and permanent return where possible.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the President’s leadership, noting that it was his vision that inspired the collective return of these medical professionals. “Mr. President, some of our people are leaving, but they’re also coming back with knowledge and expertise to make Nigeria a better place,” she said. “What is your role in the Renewed Hope Agenda? We are glad you are here, so welcome home.”
Minister of State for Health Dr. Salako echoed her sentiments, describing the diaspora medics’ commitment as a validation of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s reach.
“What we are seeing today further demonstrates that you are not only renewing the hope of Nigerians in Nigeria but even Nigerians outside Nigeria are filling the agenda,” he said. “Since I became minister, I have had interface with virtually everybody physically online. And I can tell you, excellency, these are very motivated, very ready, very prepared Nigerians who want to give back to Nigeria.”
He announced that the Ministry of Health would henceforth make collaboration with diaspora health professionals a yearly event on its calendar.
The delegation included notable names such as Dr. Jide Menakaya, Dr. Kunle Akanbi, Professor Afekhide Ernest Omoti, Dr. Cliff Ike, Dr. Gertie Anyanwoke, Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr. Hamid Balogun, Dr. Sadiya Gumi, and others.
As the meeting drew to a close, Tinabwe reaffirmed that healthcare remains central to his administration’s development agenda, with far-reaching reforms already underway to strengthen primary healthcare and expand access to quality medical services for all Nigerians.
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