Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has applauded Nigerian health professionals in the diaspora for their outstanding contributions to strengthening healthcare delivery across the country through the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII). This was contained in a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
Speaking at the 2026 National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and Closing Ceremony of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako described the initiative as a demonstration of patriotism and a powerful example of how diaspora expertise can accelerate health sector transformation.
Dr. Salako congratulated the award recipients and expressed appreciation to the thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals from across the world who voluntarily returned home to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers, and strengthen local health systems.
He noted that diaspora medical teams from organisations including the Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists (CANPAD), Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG), Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Nigerian Australian Medical Doctors Association (NAMDA), Nigerian Doctors Forum South Africa, Nigerian Medical Association Germany, Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK, and the Concerned Medics Foundation delivered healthcare interventions across all six geopolitical zones.
According to the Minister, the initiative directly impacted nearly 10,000 Nigerians through medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostics, telemedicine services, sickle cell screening, and other interventions while training over 2,000 frontline healthcare workers, thereby strengthening the country’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare long after the missions concluded.
He highlighted key achievements, including the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers in the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto; more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries conducted in Enugu, Imo and Abia; advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures in Lagos; ultrasound-based diagnosis training for endometriosis in Edo State; and expanded telemedicine and primary healthcare services in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements, supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions, and encouraging diaspora investments in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical industries.
The Minister stressed that while Nigeria has experienced the migration of health professionals over the years, the current administration is implementing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare and professional development, while building stronger partnerships with Nigerians abroad.
He also called for sustained collaboration beyond annual medical missions through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer, public-private partnerships, and diaspora-led investments.
Dr. Salako urged healthcare professionals abroad to enrol on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry, describing the platform as a structured gateway for diaspora professionals to contribute their expertise to Nigeria’s healthcare development.
The Minister concluded by emphasising that Nigeria’s health system will ultimately be strengthened through the collective efforts of Nigerians both at home and abroad, calling for a renewed and enduring partnership to improve the health, wellbeing and prosperity of all Nigerians.
He commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and her team, alongside members of the joint planning committee, state governments and development partners, for ensuring the success of the initiative.
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