Iziaq Salako laments Nigeria’s worsening doctor shortage, revealing one doctor now attends to about 3,500 patients amid rising migration and strikes

Iziaq Salako has raised alarm over Nigeria’s severe doctor shortage, revealing that one doctor now caters to about 3,500 patients nationwide.

Also read: Resident Doctors Declare Indefinite Nationwide Strike

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare said the situation reflects a global shortage of healthcare workers, worsened by the mass migration of Nigerian doctors seeking better opportunities abroad.

Salako noted that the global competition for medical professionals has intensified, likening the trend to a supply crisis that inevitably fuels cross-border movement.

“There is a shortage of health workers globally, and also in Nigeria. In Nigeria today, we have a ratio of one doctor to 3,500 patients,” Salako said.

“Even when we want to employ, we may not get enough to meet the World Health Organisation’s recommendation.”

The minister’s comments come amid the nationwide strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which began on Saturday over long-standing grievances relating to unpaid arrears, poor working conditions, and government inaction on health sector reforms.

Salako acknowledged that Nigeria’s economic challenges have exacerbated the situation but insisted that the government is making efforts to address the crisis through capacity expansion in medical training institutions.

“It’s a global issue that everybody is trying to address. For us in Nigeria, the economic challenges of the country are worsening the situation, there is no doubt about it,” he said. “But we are rising up to address the challenge.”

According to the minister, the government is investing in expanding medical education to produce more doctors locally, though he cautioned that it will take time before the impact is felt.

“Some countries have implemented policies that retain their health workers as assets that can generate revenue for their nations. Nigeria is trying to go in that direction so that we keep those we can, while allowing structured migration where beneficial,” he explained.

Salako also addressed concerns about the temporary employment of locum doctors in federal hospitals, clarifying that the Federal Government has authorised hospital heads to recruit on a short-term basis pending formal appointments.

“It is known that doctors are leaving; the migration rate is high, so chief executives of hospitals are being given the power to replace those who have left on a locum basis,” he said.

He further explained that permanent recruitment remains a lengthy process involving multiple agencies and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“The process of engaging permanent staff is complex — it involves applications, screenings, and IPPIS capture. It’s not something that can be done every day,” he stated.

Salako said the ministry has now adopted a two-tier employment strategy, combining annual waivers for permanent recruitment with temporary locum appointments between hiring cycles.

He added that a universal protocol is being developed to guide medical directors on locum employment terms, ensuring transparency and fair consideration for permanent positions.

“We’re developing a universal protocol to guide MDs and CEOs on how to employ locums — what their contract terms are, how long they can work, and ensuring they are prioritised when permanent openings arise,” he said.

Also read: FCT Doctors Indefinite Strike Leaves Patients Stranded

With Nigeria’s healthcare system under growing strain, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stabilising the sector, describing the shortage as “one of the most pressing national challenges.”