Health Workers Fleeing Nigeria, Hospitals Facing Exodus Due to Poor Pay – CMDs Warn Reps
Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of Nigeria’s teaching hospitals have raised concerns over the mass exodus of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals due to poor remuneration. They warned that hospitals may soon face an acute staffing crisis, despite federal investments in health infrastructure.
At the 2025 budget defense session before the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, CMDs, including Professor Wasiu Adeyemo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and Professor Jesse Abiodun of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, described the alarming rate of resignations.
Prof. Adeyemo revealed, “Medical workers resign almost daily. In one or two years, our hospitals could be empty. Consultants earn less than $1,000 monthly, leading to mass departures for economic reasons.”
He also outlined LUTH’s 2024 budget performance, highlighting a total allocation of ₦19.2 billion, with personnel costs accounting for ₦13.57 billion. Despite achieving 91% of personnel performance, he noted significant resignations and retirements affecting workforce stability.
Prof. Abiodun of UCH, Ibadan, highlighted the delayed release of funds, which severely impacted operations. Of the ₦5.59 billion capital appropriation for 2024, only 38% had been released, leaving a balance of 72%. He attributed operational difficulties to delayed payments and rising utility costs from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
For 2025, UCH is proposing a reduced capital budget of ₦4.39 billion and an overhead of ₦690 million.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Patrick Umoh, urged CMDs to provide detailed presentations reflecting their challenges and the president’s budgetary allocations. He expressed concern over the dire state of tertiary health institutions and assured further deliberations on the submissions.
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