By Islamiyyah Adekanbi
The National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) has expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian doctors, identifying economic challenges as one of the major factors driving medical professionals to seek opportunities abroad.
The President of the College, Prof. Anthony N. Ikefuna, stated this on Wednesday during a pre-convocation press conference held at the College premises in Ijanikin, Lagos.
Ikefuna said the decision by doctors to leave Nigeria was influenced by various “push and pull factors,” including economic conditions and the need to provide for their families.
According to him, some doctors who previously travelled abroad for short programmes and returned to Nigeria now face circumstances that make it difficult for them to remain in the country.
“If you are not well to do, you cannot feed your family. Of course, why are you staying here? You’re going to find a way to survive,” he said.
The College President, however, noted that the institution could only do so much within its mandate, stressing that individual priorities also played a role in the decision of medical professionals to migrate.
He said the College was making efforts to encourage doctors to remain in Nigeria while acknowledging that government also had a role to play in addressing the factors contributing to the migration of medical professionals.
Ikefuna also disclosed that the College had recorded an increase in the number of young doctors seeking specialist training, with the trend expected to reflect in its examinations in the coming year.
He said mentorship was one of the ways the College encouraged young doctors to pursue specialist training and contribute to the Nigerian healthcare system.
“We keep reminding ourselves that we are role models,” he said, stressing the importance of experienced medical professionals guiding younger doctors.
On postgraduate medical training, Ikefuna said the College reviews its curriculum every five years to ensure that it reflects emerging health challenges.
He added that the College had created a dedicated faculty focused on cancer care, with attention to developments such as immunotherapy and other approaches to improving cancer treatment.
The President also disclosed that 537 fellows were expected to be certified as specialists at the College’s 2026 convocation ceremony scheduled for Thursday.
He explained that candidates receiving the Fellowship of the College would become specialists in their respective fields and could take up consultancy roles in healthcare facilities.
Four Senior Fellows are also expected to receive the Distinguished Fellowship of the College in recognition of their contributions to medical practice, education, administration and the development of the institution.
On medical tourism, Ikefuna said the situation was becoming less pronounced as more specialist centres and advanced medical facilities were emerging in Nigeria.
He said the availability of such facilities would also provide opportunities for resident doctors to gain exposure and training within the country.
The NPMCN President reaffirmed the College’s commitment to maintaining standards in postgraduate medical education, training, examination and certification.
The 2026 convocation will feature the conferment of Fellowships in various medical specialties, the Doctor of Medicine degree and post-Fellowship Diplomas on successful candidates.
