Diaspora doctors Nigeria initiative aims to improve healthcare access and training nationwide through the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced plans to deploy Nigerian medical professionals living abroad to multiple states in a bid to strengthen healthcare delivery and build local capacity.

Also read: FCT Doctors Receive 13 Months’ Hazard Allowance

The announcement was made by NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during the unveiling of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) 2026 in Abuja.

The programme, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” aims to bring diaspora-based doctors and specialists to geopolitical zones across the country for medical interventions and professional training.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s diaspora health professionals, noting that beyond remittances exceeding $20bn annually, their technical knowledge, mentorship and specialised care represent a significant resource for national health transformation.

“The initiative provides a coordinated framework to align diaspora expertise with priority national and state-level health needs, particularly in underserved communities,” she said.

Under the programme, seven diaspora-based medical associations will be deployed between July 20 and 23, 2026, ahead of the National Diaspora Day on July 25.

Target states include Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto and Kaduna. The organisations participating include the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists, Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, Concerned Medics Foundation, Nigerian Medical Association Germany, Nigerian-Australian Medical & Dental Association, and Nigerian Doctors Forum – South Africa.

Interventions will cover specialist lectures, maternal and neonatal health, sickle cell screening, women’s health assessments, point-of-care ultrasound, interventional radiology, neurosurgery, reproductive health diagnostics, medical leadership, and health governance.

“These allocations ensure nationwide reach across multiple geopolitical zones,” Dabiri-Erewa said, stressing that the initiative focuses on sustainable capacity building rather than short-term outreach.

Expected outcomes include improved access to specialist services, strengthened institutional capacity, enhanced clinical competence of local health professionals, and generation of measurable health data.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, confirmed that the council would facilitate licensing of participating personnel and collaborate with local health institutions to ensure success.

Vice President of the Nigerian Medical Association Germany, Hamid Balogun, highlighted the need for sustainability, noting that diaspora engagement should extend beyond a one-off intervention.

Nigeria’s health sector continues to face shortages of specialist doctors, uneven distribution of medical personnel, and limited access to advanced care, particularly in rural and underserved states.

Also read: Resident Doctors Declare Indefinite Nationwide Strike

The DHII 2026 initiative seeks to leverage the expertise of Nigerian-trained professionals practising abroad in Europe, North America, and other regions to address these challenges.