Just one out of 147 newly inducted doctors from the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine expressed an intention to stay and practice in Nigeria.
This finding emerged during the induction ceremony for the Class of 2024, held at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre.
Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun, Provost of the College, lamented the situation, highlighting the brain drain affecting the country.
He noted that most graduates, despite being among the best in the nation—with 90% achieving first-class honors—prefer to seek opportunities abroad.
The provost said: ‘’It is very saddening that most of our doctors want to leave Nigeria. When I interviewed them, only one of them wanted to stay behind. It is devastating to this nation. And I will tell you why they are leaving. These students are the best of the best. They were taken on total merit. This is very brilliant because it is very competitive for Ibadan. We are the best here. About 90 per cent of them were first-class and about 60 per cent were perfect CGPA – 4/4. Any country that wants to move forward should look for the best. You don’t allow your best to leave. They are trained virtually free of charge by the nation. There is a danger in letting your best go’’.
Speaking at the programme,Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria [MDCN], Dr. Fatima Kyari; the President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association [ICOMAA] Emmanuel Otolorin, and others urged urged the young doctors to reconsider, emphasizing their potential to contribute positively to Nigeria’s future.
The Governor appealed for their commitment to nation-building, stating that the challenges faced can be overcome with determination and unity.
Oyebanji said: ‘’Yes, we are challenged but I believe strongly that the youths have the energy and the skills to develop this country. I am just appealing to them that the country they want to go to was built by some people. So, they should reconsider this ‘japa’ syndrome and join hands with us so that we can build the country of our own dreams because the future belongs to them”.
Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria who was represented by Dr. Okwuokenye Henry , the Deputy Registrar and Head of Medical Registration reinforced the idea that the government heavily subsidizes medical education, suggesting that graduates owe it to their country to give back.
‘’We are pleading with the graduands to understand the efforts the government has put in their training and find a way to give back to the people. When we leave the country, we still have our family members here. We can’t go with all of them and they have to be taken care of. We must continue to think of how to move this country forward together’’.
The Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who said medicine is a divine calling,also urged the inductees to continue upholding the best standard UI Medical School is known for.
Alumni leaders echoed these sentiments, urging inductees to reflect on the importance of their roles in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Report by Adeleke Maria for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER
