The Radiography Lecturers Association of Nigeria (RLAN) has raised the alarm that more than 60 per cent of radiographers trained in Nigeria are now practising abroad.

The President of the association, Prof. Christian Nzotta, a former Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), disclosed this at the 57th yearly Conference and Scientific Workshop of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria in Lagos, themed “Radiography and Climate Change: Mitigating the Impact on Health and Healthcare Systems.”

Nzotta, a professor of Nuclear Physics, said the country has produced over 15,000 radiographers, but fewer than 5,000 remain active in Nigeria’s health system. “Over 60 per cent of our qualified radiographers are out there in Europe,” he noted.

He explained that the trend has slightly shifted this year due to radiography training programmes in the United Kingdom, which have reduced the movement of radiographers abroad. “We hardly have radiographers who go to the US to practise because their system is different, with high levels of specialisation, CT, sonography, or conventional imaging, which meets or exceeds our standards,” he added.

Keynote speaker and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Gregory University, Uturu, Prof. Felix Erondu, said climate change is increasing pressure on health systems and reliance on radiography services. “Climate change constitutes one of the greatest health challenges of our era. The WHO projects up to 250,000 yearly deaths from climate change by 2030–2050, with direct costs to health systems spiking to $2–4 billion yearly,” he said.

Erondu highlighted the health impacts of rising temperatures, degraded air quality, changing infectious disease patterns, food and water insecurity, and climate-induced displacement. He warned that floods, heatwaves, droughts, and population displacement will drive greater demand for mobile imaging, screening, and emergency diagnostic services across the country, particularly in IDP camps.

He also expressed concern over unstable electricity and its effect on imaging centres, noting that critical power is essential for patient care and the operation of radiography equipment.

Earlier, the President of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, Dr Musa Dambele, said the conference aimed to examine how climate change is shaping diagnostic needs and national health outcomes.

“This year’s theme could not be timelier. Climate-related issues are critical, and we cannot afford to ignore them,” he stated.

Stakeholders called for improved welfare for radiographers, stronger power infrastructure, support for equipment acquisition, and policy reforms to curb the migration of trained professionals.