The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reiterated the central role of medical doctors in Nigeria’s healthcare system, asserting that they must remain at the forefront of health service delivery in alignment with global best practices.
The minister of state Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako was speaking during his official visit to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Secretariat Headquarters in Abuja.
“Patients visit hospitals primarily to see doctors,” Dr. Salako said during an official visit to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Secretariat in Abuja. “Yes, they interact with other professionals, but doctors are central. And everywhere in the world, doctors are positioned to provide leadership. Nigeria, of course, cannot be an exception.”
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system, modeled after the British colonial framework, was structurally designed to place doctors in leadership positions. He emphasized that sustaining such leadership demands vision, sacrifice, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
“If you’re not ahead as a leader, you lose the leadership position,” he warned, encouraging Nigerian doctors to consistently build their capacity to lead.
Salako also lauded the patriotism of medical practitioners who have chosen to stay and serve in Nigeria despite better prospects overseas. “I proudly call myself a homeboy,” he remarked. “And I use this opportunity to appreciate all of you who have chosen to stay behind and grow our country, because we have no other country.”
Touching on broader socio-political issues, the Minister linked the current wave of medical brain drain to a legacy of exploitation. He described the exodus of Nigerian health professionals as a modern-day extension of colonialism, calling it a “neo-colonial tactic” that robs the country of its skilled workforce.
In his welcome remarks, the President of the NMA, Dr. Audu Bala, praised the Minister’s visit as a clear sign of the government’s dedication to health sector reform, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This signifies the seriousness with which the Minister and the President take the health sector and the grassroots workforce tasked with delivering quality healthcare to all Nigerians,” said Dr. Bala.
He also highlighted recent initiatives aimed at curbing brain drain, including an ambitious workforce retention strategy and an expansion of medical training capacities across the country. “This policy could make Nigeria a major exporter of health professionals, benefiting both our healthcare system and economy,” he noted.
Dr. Bala further emphasized the government’s push to revitalize the health value chain and boost local pharmaceutical production, urging Nigeria to take full advantage of the global health economy, which he described as a “multi-trillion-dollar sector.”
“When properly harnessed, these policies could reverse medical tourism, boost local healthcare access, and position Nigeria as a regional health hub,” he said.
Both Dr. Salako and Dr. Bala agreed that transforming the country’s healthcare system will require strong collaboration among government, professionals, and the wider society. They pledged ongoing partnership to ensure that the sector becomes a pillar of national development.
Dr. Salako’s visit is part of his wider engagement with agencies, parastatals, and professional bodies under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.