In a statement issued on Saturday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Nigerian government has significantly raised the annual enrollment of nurses from 28,000 to 68,000, with plans to further increase it to 120,000 by the end of 2024.
Alausa emphasized that the Federal Government has instructed health workers seeking employment opportunities abroad to resign from their positions before embarking on such journeys.
He declared an end to the practice of health workers leaving the country after applying for a leave of absence, citing President Bola Tinubu’s executive order aimed at combating the “Japa Syndrome” or brain drain in the nation’s health sector.
During his visit to the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Alausa reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a robust health sector to safeguard the well-being of citizens.
He acknowledged the challenge of manpower shortages in federal health institutions and highlighted proactive measures being taken to address this issue.
Alausa stated, “The government recognizes the impact of brain drain on our health sector, and the President has ordered the massive production of manpower to ensure adequate replacement. Our focus is on increasing nurse enrollment, doubling the intake of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.”
Regarding health workers seeking opportunities abroad, Alausa emphasized the importance of resigning from government positions rather than applying for leave of absence.
He explained that this directive aims to prevent situations where individuals continue to draw salaries while working overseas, thereby creating administrative burdens and hindering the recruitment of replacements.
Under the new directive, health workers are encouraged to pursue opportunities abroad freely but are required to formally resign from their positions within the Federal Government. This approach ensures transparency, efficiency, and equitable opportunities for those remaining in the workforce.
