Nigeria TV Info 
Experts Warn of Imminent Health System Collapse as ‘Japa’ Syndrome Drains Nigeria’s Medical Workforce

Health experts have raised serious concerns over the mass exodus of Nigerian healthcare professionals, warning that the nation’s health system faces imminent collapse if urgent interventions are not implemented. The “Japa” phenomenon — referring to the migration of skilled workers abroad — has intensified among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists seeking better working conditions and pay.

According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), over 15,000 doctors have left the country in the past five years, while thousands of nurses have relocated to the UK, Canada, and the Middle East. Hospitals across the country are increasingly understaffed, leading to longer waiting times, burnout among remaining workers, and declining quality of care.

Experts are urging the federal government to introduce competitive remuneration, improved working conditions, and modernised hospital infrastructure to stem the tide. They also called for strategic retention policies and bilateral agreements ensuring fair treatment of Nigerian professionals abroad.

Public health analysts warn that if the trend continues unchecked, Nigeria risks facing a catastrophic health service breakdown, particularly in rural communities where medical access is already limited.