The Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised concerns over insufficient health sector funding, welfare neglect, and salary distortions, warning that Nigeria has become one of the world’s largest exporters of medical professionals after India.
The association made the statement during a press briefing on Monday to mark its 2025 Annual General Meeting and Annual General Conference (AGM/AGC), themed “A Critical Appraisal of Nigeria’s Budgetary Allocations to Health: Negotiating for Better Medical Salary Scale and Relativity for Medical Doctors.”
Speaking at the event, NMA Lagos Chairman Dr. Saheed Babajide criticised both federal and state governments for failing to prioritise healthcare despite rising national revenues.
“The president himself boasts that Nigeria has money and has cleared debts. If the government is getting more revenue, why are we still on 5 per cent health allocation instead of 15 per cent as agreed in the Abuja Declaration?” he asked.
According to Babajide, Nigeria’s 2025 budget allocated ₦2.48 trillion to health, representing just 5.18 per cent of total expenditure, far below the continental target. He said the funding shortfall has led to collapsing hospitals, poor working conditions, and mass emigration of medical personnel.
“Nigeria has become the epicentre of health worker export after India. The government has turned doctors into its second-largest export commodity after crude oil,” he said.
The association also condemned the salary cuts imposed on Lagos State-employed doctors in July and August 2025 by the State Treasury Office, calling for immediate restoration to pre-April 2025 levels.
“We reject any reduced or distorted salary structure for doctors in Lagos. Given the crushing workload and economic realities in Lagos, our members deserve more, not less,” Babajide said.
Stressing additional welfare concerns, the NMA criticised the non-provision of call-duty meals and unpaid skipping arrears at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), describing these as acts of “welfare sabotage” that directly affect patient care.
The association further criticised the continued tenure of Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye as Acting Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, describing it as a breach of extant rules.
“His tenure has expired, yet he remains in office while still contesting for a second term. We call on the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, to end this reign of impunity immediately,” Babajide said.
He reiterated calls for a single five-year tenure for Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary health institutions to prevent abuse of power.
Babajide also urged policymakers to shift focus from project commissioning and research partnerships to addressing manpower shortages.
“The reality is simple—without health workers, there is no healthcare. Doctors are leaving in droves, and those left behind are being beaten down by poor welfare and terrible working conditions,” he said, warning that failure to act could trigger a deeper health emergency.
The NMA AGM/AGC will feature Prof. Edamisan Temiye as keynote speaker, with sessions on medico-legal challenges, panel discussions involving the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Lagos Ministry of Justice, law enforcement, and legal experts. The weeklong event will also include medical outreach, quiz competitions, football matches, and the commissioning of the rehabilitated Lagos SCID Panti Clinic.
“We are committed to constructive engagement, but make no mistake, we will take firm action where necessary to defend the dignity of our profession and the health rights of Nigerians,” Babajide stated.
