Come Home, Heal Nigeria — Tinubu Tells Medical Professionals Abroad.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s healthcare sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President made the appeal on Friday while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide, led by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration at the State House, Abuja. The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas; and Senior Special Assistant on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinacker.
President Tinubu said Nigeria requires the knowledge, innovation, experience and patriotism of its highly skilled professionals abroad to build a resilient, world-class healthcare system. He praised the visiting doctors for returning to serve their country through medical outreaches and humanitarian services, noting that there is “nowhere like home.” The President also reflected on his own return to Nigeria after working with Deloitte and Touche and Mobil, saying he came back to contribute to national development.
He reaffirmed that healthcare remains a key priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Federal Government implementing reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services and encourage greater collaboration with Nigerians in the diaspora. According to him, the administration is investing in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure, improved welfare and policies aimed at reversing brain drain. He urged the visiting professionals to encourage more Nigerian healthcare workers abroad to reconnect with the country through partnerships, investments, knowledge exchange and permanent return where possible.
The President commended the doctors for their recent medical outreach programmes across the North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West and other parts of the country, describing their specialist services, surgeries, consultations and health education as demonstrations of compassion, patriotism and excellence. He added that the government’s goal is to create a better environment where future generations of Nigerians can thrive.
Earlier, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the visiting healthcare professionals were committed to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare delivery through the Renewed Hope Agenda. She noted that although many Nigerians leave the country, they also return with valuable knowledge and expertise to contribute to national development, adding that President Tinubu’s leadership inspired the delegation’s collective efforts.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the commitment of diaspora medical professionals further validates the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector. He described the visiting doctors as highly motivated Nigerians eager to give back to their country and announced that collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and diaspora healthcare professionals would become an annual event.
The delegation included Dr. Jide Menakaya, Dr. Kunle Akanbi, Dr. Uche Menakaya, Dr. Itua Iriogbe, Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, Dr. Cliff Ike, Dr. Gertie Anyanwoke, Prof. Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr. Hamid Balogun, Dr. Sadiya Gumi, Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr. Emilia Iwu, Chike Nweke, Wendy Olayinka, Dr. Timileyin Oluseye, Dr. Charles Adekunle and Tayo Erogbogbo. :::**