A Nigerian academic, Dara Thomas, has developed a new theoretical framework aimed at tackling the country’s medical brain drain and promoting sustainable healthcare systems across sub-Saharan Africa.
The study, entitled “The Japa-Japada Construct: A Theoretical Framework for Exploring the Recent Medical Brain Drain Scourge in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Potential Medical Reverse Brain Drain,” was recently published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations. It explores how the migration of medical professionals, commonly known in Nigeria as “Japa,” can be understood and possibly reversed through evidence-based strategies.
Nigeria continues to struggle with one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios globally. Thousands of doctors and healthcare workers have relocated abroad in search of better pay, improved facilities, and stable working environments, leaving local hospitals overstretched and understaffed.
Thomas’ research provides a structured approach to understanding the trend and offers a pathway for reintegration. The framework, developed with a team of international scholars, analyses both the factors pushing medical workers out of Nigeria and those that could encourage them to return, known as “Japada.”
Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling, the study identifies insecurity, political instability, and limited career advancement as key drivers of migration. It also highlights economic incentives, improved hospital infrastructure, and supportive reintegration policies as potential motivators for returning home.
The model, according to the publication, bridges an existing gap in research by combining migration theory with practical policy recommendations. It aims to help governments and health administrators design effective interventions to slow the pace of medical emigration and strengthen domestic healthcare systems.
The study has drawn international recognition for being one of the first to connect medical brain drain with reverse migration in the African context. Experts in migration studies and public health have described the model as a useful tool for planning sustainable workforce policies.
Beyond the data, the research captures the human aspect of medical migration, noting that behind every figure is a doctor seeking safety, stability, and professional growth. Many professionals, the study found, would consider returning if the working and living conditions at home improved.
The policy implications of the framework are wide-ranging. It recommends investing in hospital infrastructure, improving professional development opportunities, and establishing systems to support returning medical personnel. It also proposes creating formal mechanisms to engage the Nigerian medical Diaspora through knowledge exchange and capacity-building programmes.
Thomas’ study concludes that rather than viewing brain drain as a permanent loss, it should be seen as an opportunity to harness skills gained abroad for national development.
The framework encourages African governments to adopt strategic measures that balance outward migration with structured return programmes.
Thomas is a PhD candidate at Sichuan University Business School. His research areas include corporate social responsibility, sustainability, workforce management, and policy innovation. His broader academic focus is on international human resource development and the application of evidence-based models to strengthen healthcare systems in developing economies.
