President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the nation’s health sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President made the appeal on Friday while receiving members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide at the State House, Abuja, during the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration.
Tinubu said Nigeria needs the knowledge, innovation and experience of its highly skilled professionals overseas to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
“I have been through that journey. I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home, ” he said.
Recalling his own decision to return to Nigeria after working with Deloitte and Touche and Mobil, the President encouraged the visiting professionals to play an active role in nation-building.
He reaffirmed that healthcare remains a key priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that his administration is implementing reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services and improve the welfare of health workers.
Tinubu also said the Federal Government is investing in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure and policies aimed at reversing the country’s brain drain.
“The best way to demonstrate to you is for me to commit myself to my agenda, the Renewed Hope, so that the hope of Nigerians of having a better environment, better education, better development and prosperity can be realised, ” he said.
The President praised the diaspora medical professionals for conducting free medical outreaches across several parts of Nigeria, providing specialist care, surgeries, consultations and other life-saving services to thousands of citizens.
He urged them to encourage more Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to reconnect with the country through investments, partnerships, knowledge sharing and permanent return where possible.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the visiting professionals were eager to support the government’s healthcare reform efforts.
“They succeeded abroad, but they want to come back home and do something… they want to play a part in your Renewed Hope Agenda, ” she said.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the commitment of the diaspora professionals as a strong endorsement of the administration’s health agenda.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health would make collaboration with Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora an annual programme to strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, Special Adviser on Health Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, and members of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide.
