OGUN STATE, NIGERIA — The Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital () has called for a major upward review of doctors’ salaries in Nigeria, insisting that no medical doctor should earn less than N1 million monthly amid worsening economic conditions and rising brain drain in the health sector.
The position was made public by the President of the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), who argued that current remuneration levels are no longer sustainable given inflation, workload pressure, and the migration of medical professionals to countries offering better compensation packages.
According to the association, the Nigerian health sector continues to suffer from severe manpower shortages as many doctors leave the country in search of improved working conditions abroad, a trend commonly referred to as “brain drain.”
The ARD stated that inadequate salaries, poor welfare packages, and limited access to modern medical facilities are key factors pushing healthcare workers out of the country, warning that the situation could further weaken Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system if urgent reforms are not implemented.
The association stressed that a minimum monthly salary of N1 million for doctors is necessary to reflect the level of responsibility, years of training, and the critical nature of medical services provided to the public.
It further argued that improving doctors’ welfare would not only help retain skilled professionals but also enhance healthcare delivery and reduce mortality rates associated with inadequate medical staffing.
Medical professionals within the institution also called on the federal and state governments to increase budgetary allocation to the health sector, improve hospital infrastructure, and ensure timely payment of salaries and allowances.
Health sector analysts note that Nigeria has continued to experience a steady outflow of medical personnel to countries in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, where working conditions are considered more favourable.
They warn that without significant policy intervention, the country risks deepening its healthcare challenges, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The ARD emphasized that doctors remain central to national development and deserve compensation that matches global standards, especially in a period of rising cost of living.
While acknowledging ongoing government efforts to reform the health sector, the association insisted that more decisive action is required to prevent further deterioration of medical services in the country.
The call adds to a growing list of demands from healthcare workers across Nigeria advocating for improved welfare, better facilities, and sustainable retention strategies.
Authorities are yet to formally respond to the latest demand, but similar calls in the past have often sparked negotiations between government representatives and health sector unions.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to patient care but warned that continued neglect of doctors’ welfare could lead to deeper crises within the national healthcare system if not urgently addressed.
