Nigeria begins health workforce migration policy with housing scheme

Nigeria begins implementing its health workforce migration policy with housing schemes and salary reviews to curb the Japa exodus and improve retention

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Government has officially launched the implementation of the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, introducing a housing scheme as the first major incentive to retain medical talent.

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This move is part of a broader strategy to stem the ongoing brain drain, popularly dubbed the “Japa syndrome”, that continues to cripple Nigeria’s health system.

“If actions are not taken today, the situation will only get worse,” said Prof Bala Audu, President of the Nigerian Medical Association, as he confirmed the commencement of Nigeria’s long-awaited policy to curb the mass exodus of healthcare professionals.

The policy, approved by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024, is described by health officials as a comprehensive approach to both retain and regenerate Nigeria’s health workforce.

It goes beyond arresting migration, focusing instead on long-term capacity building and enhanced welfare.

According to Prof Audu, health workers will now benefit from a government-backed mortgage scheme, which allows doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other professionals to purchase homes at subsidised rates and pay over 20 to 30 years. This marks a significant shift in health sector welfare planning.

The Federal Government has created what it calls the Renewed Hope Medical City, where houses will be built for health workers. This is a very new approach to welfare that we have not seen before.

Additional components of the policy include:

• Salary, benefit, and allowance reviews for all cadres of healthcare workers
• Special incentives for practitioners serving in rural or underserved communities
• Development of car ownership schemes and transportation support
• Expansion of medical education institutions to increase workforce supply

To this end, tertiary health training institutions are already scaling up intake, particularly in the disciplines of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and radiography.

Prof Audu noted that while the real impact of these measures may not be visible for another five years, failure to act now would plunge the sector deeper into crisis.

“This is not to say everything is perfect. But at least action is being taken, and we are compiling the list of early uptakers for the housing scheme,” he added.

Dr Tope Osundara, President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, confirmed that the housing initiative is being coordinated with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, led by Ahmed Dangiwa.

A dedicated “Residency Village” has also received ministerial approval as part of the broader housing strategy.

The policy’s dual-track focus retention and regeneration—is expected to offer a lifeline to a health system strained by underfunding, poor infrastructure, and an accelerating rate of medical migration.

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For the first time in years, stakeholders say, there is concrete evidence of political will to reverse the decline.