By Bunmi Yekini
Medical specialists from across Nigeria have called for urgent reforms in postgraduate medical education, improved welfare for health workers, and stronger use of technology to stem the tide of brain drain threatening the country’s health system.
The call was made at the 19th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows’ Congress (ASCAF Caliphate 2025), organized by the Postgraduate Medical College Fellows Association (PMCFA) in collaboration with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN). The event, themed “Leveraging Technology, Innovation, and Diversification to Revolutionize Postgraduate Medical Education in Nigeria,” was held in Sokoto from August 3rd to 8th.
Declaring the conference open, Professor B.B. Shehu, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health & Biomedical Sciences, said the meeting was timely, given Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with health worker migration. “Our nation cannot afford to keep training specialists only to lose them to better opportunities abroad,” he said.
The College President, Dr. Peter Ndidi Ebeigbe, stressed that postgraduate medical education must adapt to modern realities. “Artificial intelligence, digital health, and entrepreneurship are no longer optional, they are tools we must urgently integrate into our training to prepare specialists for the future of healthcare,” he said.
Highlights of the week-long conference included the Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Annual Lecture, delivered by Prof. Basden J.C. Onwubere, who warned that hypertension, the “silent killer”, could reach crisis levels in Nigeria if left unchecked. Distinguished fellows, including Emeritus Prof. S.C. Ohaegbulam and Prof. Angela Okolo, were also honored for their lifetime contributions.
Participants identified poor remuneration, lack of infrastructure, and weak implementation of the National Health Workforce Migration Policy as major drivers of medical brain drain. They urged government at all levels to harmonize pay structures, tackle corruption, and create attractive conditions that would encourage diaspora doctors to return.
“There is an urgent need to mainstream welfare packages, modern facilities, and technology into our health system. This will not only retain skilled professionals but also improve care for Nigerians in rural and urban areas,” the communiqué stated.
The gathering also recommended closer partnerships with the private health sector, phased integration of AI into medical curricula, and financial literacy training for practitioners to better prepare for life beyond clinical service.
The Sokoto conference brought together top policymakers, academics, and health leaders, including representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, the Governors of Sokoto and Kebbi States, and the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.