The Nigerian House of Representatives has read a bill for the second time to prevent locally trained medical or dental practitioners from being granted full licences until they have worked for a minimum of five years in the country.

Who Sponsored the Bill to Prevent Nigerian-trained Medical Practitioners From Seeking Greener Pastures Until 5 Years of Service?

Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson representing Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency sponsored the bill titled "A Bill for an Act to Amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M329, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.."

The second reading went smoothly on the floor today and was supported by the majority of the lawmakers in a session which was chaired by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Japa: Why Medical and Dental Practitioners Should Practice in Nigeria for 5 Years

On his part, the Lagos lawmaker argued that it is fair for any medical or dental practitioner trained in the country to serve the country for the period of time as a way to give back to the society haven enjoyed the subsidy on the education from tax payers before they move abroad to practice.

Why Doctors Should Not Be Forced to Practice Before Seeking Greener Pastures - Nkem-Abonta

NewStori reports that another member of the House, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta who is representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency however opposed the bill likening it to enslavement to tie a doctor down.

Despite the fact that majority of the Federal lawmakers supporting the bill, they however called for flexibility and options in the envisaged law.

How Many Nigerian-trained Doctor Are In The Country?

Recall that the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Uche Rowland, recently said that Nigeria currently has only 24,000 licensed medical doctors available in the country, less than 10 per cent of the number needed to meet a WHO recommendation.

A large number of Nigerian doctors are emigrating to seek greener pastures in developed countries and nothing less than 5,600 of them have migrated to the United Kingdom (UK) in the last eight years.

Via https://www.newstori.com/brain-drain-reps-move-to-prevent-nigerian-trained-medical-practitioners-from-getting-full-licences-until-they-serve-for-5-years/

Is the bill going to cover other professionals like engineers, pharmacists, accountants, lawyers and mathematicians?

Instead of this approach. The monetary value of what the FG spends on each student should be given as loan and graduates be allowed to pay from any part of the world they wish to pay back from.

They prefer strangling them than improving they pays, working conditions and other incentives


Poor thinking
Poor country

What happened to increasing health budget and worker's pay. Govt waste and embezzle funds and trying to turn on citizens to suffer in the poor economy they created. Doctors are not the only professionals traveling out.