President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged medical professionals to search out options to the problem of medical mind drain throughout the West African sub-region, noting that the migration of expert professionals to different elements of the world continues to place appreciable stress on healthcare programs within the subregion.
He mentioned that this limits entry to important medical providers, thereby growing the workload on out there personnel.
President Tinubu raised the problem on Thursday, shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), on the State House, Abuja.
He urged the College management to make use of their forthcoming convention to develop sensible, sustainable options to the persistent problem of medical mind drain throughout West Africa.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,” the President mentioned.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to championing complete well being sector reforms to make healthcare supply extra accessible, reasonably priced, and environment friendly for all Nigerians.
He recommended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Ali Pate, for driving the nation’s well being sector reforms.
“We as a authorities are doing all the pieces doable. Please assist me congratulate the reform-oriented doctor, Ali Pate, who has been doing an excellent job.
President Tinubu acknowledged medical professionals’ dedication and excellent contributions to humanity by medical analysis, illness prevention, life-saving interventions, and constructing resilient healthcare programs able to responding to rising and present well being challenges.
He thanked the faculty management for contemplating him worthy of the honour.
The President was conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians by the Council of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), in recognition of his contributions and dedication to strengthening well being sector reforms and medical growth in Nigeria.
According to the College President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, the College selects and awards the fellowship to the best-performing President in healthcare supply throughout the sub-region.
“This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,” he mentioned.
Professor Musa Dankyau, Secretary-General of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) and spokesperson for the delegation, mentioned the choice to confer the distinguished fellowship on President Tinubu mirrored his administration’s dedication to implementing far-reaching well being sector reforms.
Dankyau mentioned the faculty has awarded the fellowship solely eight occasions in its fifty-year historical past, first to former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, and that solely General Ibrahim Babangida acquired it as former Head of State of Nigeria in 1991.
“So, that is the second time we’re coming again to Nigeria to current to you, Mr President. The Council has famous your important contributions to well being infrastructure, improved entry to care and emergency care, and big investments in major well being care and common well being protection.
“At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness. Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,” Dankyau mentioned.
The assembly was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.
The West African College of Physicians (WACP) additionally knowledgeable President Tinubu of its forthcoming fiftieth Anniversary Celebration and Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM) from October 26 to October 28, 2026, on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
October 22, 2026
