He said Nigeria needs the expertise, innovation, and dedication of its skilled professionals overseas to build a healthcare system that works for every citizen.
The President commended the doctors for their unwavering commitment to humanity through their recent medical outreach programmes conducted across different parts of the country.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora to return home and lend their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the nation’s healthcare sector.
Tinubu made the call when he received a delegation of Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration at the State House, Abuja.
The President acknowledged that Nigeria needs the knowledge, innovation, experience and patriotism of its highly skilled professionals abroad to build a resilient and world-class healthcare system for all citizens.
“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 medical outreaches; seeing indivisible commitment to humanity is part of your singular oath and commitment in life. I thank all of you,”’ he said.
“I have been through that journey, I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home. 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 commended the doctors for their unwavering commitment to humanity through their recent medical outreach programmes conducted across different parts of the country.
Tinubu recounted how he came to Nigeria after his experiences with Deloitte and Touche and working with Mobil (company) and eventually came to Nigeria to contribute his quota to nation building.
He reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda places healthcare at the centre of national development, stressing that the Federal Government is implementing far-reaching reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services and encourage greater collaboration with Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.
“He said this would be achieved through sustained investments in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure, improved welfare and policies to reverse the trend of brain drain,” Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Sunday Dare.
“So many of you have seen the hazard of the other side of the world. You have experienced the challenges and you have come back home to feel it and seal it. Poverty and lack of development is a challenge to Africa but what do you see as a Nigerian?
“This is the heart of Africa. And I have interacted with many of you, my friends who are still out there to try to attract them home.
“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 better environment, better education, better development and prosperity can be realised.
very motivated, very ready, very prepared Nigerians who want to give back to Nigeria,” he added.
The delegation included Dr. Jide Menakaya, Dr. Kunle Akanbi, Dr. Uche Menakaya, Dr. Itua Iriogbe, Afekhide Omoti, Dr. Cliff Ike, Dr. Gertie Anyanwoke.
Others are Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr. Hamid Balogun, Dr. Sadiya Gumi, Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr. Emilia Iwu, Chike Nweke, Wendy Olayinka, Dr Timileyin Oluseye, Dr Charles Adekunle and Tayo Erogbogbo.
