By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
Former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Olufemi O. Adelowo, has warned that the continued exodus of Nigerian doctors, poor healthcare infrastructure and weak investment in the health sector are threatening the future of medical practice in the country.
He said unless governments at all levels urgently address the challenges confronting the sector, Nigeria’s already poor health indices could deteriorate further despite advances in medical science and artificial intelligence.
Adelowo spoke while delivering a keynote lecture titled, “The Future of Medical Practice in Nigeria – Random Musings!!”, at the 2026 Celebration and Reunion marking 42 years after graduation of the second set of the University of Ilorin Medical School on Friday in Lagos.
The professor described Nigeria’s health statistics as alarming, noting that the country records one of the world’s highest infant and maternal mortality rates, while life expectancy remains between 53 and 56 years.
According to him, the mass migration of doctors has further weakened the country’s healthcare system, with over 15,700 Nigerian doctors now practising in the United Kingdom, alongside thousands more in the United States and Canada.
Quoting Federal Ministry of Health estimates, Adelowo said about 16,000 Nigerian doctors emigrated between 2019 and 2024, averaging 3,200 annually.
“Years ago, when I asked young doctors whether they intended to leave Nigeria, they would hesitate. Today, they simply say, ‘Don’t ask whether I will japa; ask me when I am going,'” he said.
He blamed the situation on poor remuneration, inadequate facilities and unfavourable working conditions, adding that many hospitals still struggle with unreliable electricity and water supply, obsolete medical equipment and inadequate accommodation for doctors.
Adelowo also expressed concern over what he described as declining clinical skills, particularly in non-teaching hospitals, saying continuing medical education should be compulsory for all medical practitioners.
He further warned against the activities of unqualified health practitioners, fake drug dealers and misleading medical information on social media, urging the government to strengthen regulation and prosecute offenders.
“Many things, unfortunately, in Nigeria, we simply attribute to God or spiritual attacks. God didn’t do it. We did it to ourselves,” he said.
On the future of healthcare, Adelowo said artificial intelligence would transform medical practice by improving disease diagnosis, supporting personalised treatment, reducing diagnostic errors and accelerating drug discovery.
He, however, maintained that AI would complement doctors rather than replace them.
“The future is here. The question is whether Nigeria is ready for it,” he said.
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