The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed the critical leadership role of medical doctors in Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasizing that the profession must remain at the apex of health service delivery in line with global best practices and historical precedence.
Speaking during his official visit to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Secretariat headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Salako underscored the foundational structure of Nigeria’s health system, which, he said, mirrors the British colonial framework that prioritizes doctors as leaders in healthcare delivery.
“Patients visit hospitals primarily to see doctors,” he stated. “Yes, they interact with other professionals, but doctors are central. And everywhere in the world, doctors are positioned to provide leadership. Nigeria, of course, cannot be an exception.”
Dr. Salako acknowledged that leadership in a multi-professional environment is demanding and requires vision, sacrifice, and continuous improvement. “If you’re not ahead as a leader, you lose the leadership position,” he warned, urging Nigerian doctors to rise to the challenge and continually develop their capacity to lead.
He praised the resilience and patriotism of doctors who have chosen to remain in Nigeria despite the lure of better opportunities abroad. “I proudly call myself a homeboy,” Salako said. “And I use this opportunity to appreciate all of you who have chosen to stay behind and grow our country, because we have no other country.”
Drawing a broader historical parallel, the Minister linked the ongoing exodus of Nigerian health professionals to a continuum of exploitation that began with slavery and colonization. He criticized modern forms of brain drain, suggesting they are neo-colonial tactics depriving Nigeria of its skilled workforce.
In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Audu Bala, lauded the Minister’s visit as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to health sector reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“This signifies the seriousness with which the Minister and the President take the health sector and the grassroots workforce tasked with delivering quality healthcare to all Nigerians,” Dr. Bala said.
He highlighted recent policy strides aimed at reversing brain drain, including the implementation of a health workforce retention strategy and the doubling of medical training capacity across tertiary institutions. “This policy could make Nigeria a major exporter of health professionals, benefiting both our healthcare system and economy,” he added.
The NMA President also pointed to government initiatives aimed at revitalizing the health value chain and local pharmaceutical production. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to tap into the global health economy, which he described as a “multi-trillion-dollar sector.”
“When properly harnessed, these policies could reverse medical tourism, boost local healthcare access, and position Nigeria as a regional health hub,” Dr. Bala said.
Both leaders agreed that strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system requires coordinated effort from government, professionals, and society. They pledged continued collaboration to ensure the sector not only meets national needs but becomes a key contributor to the country’s economic development.
The visit forms part of Dr. Salako’s ongoing engagements with parastatals, agencies, and professional associations under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Signed
Alaba Balogun
Deputy Director
Information & Public Relations
20 May 2025
