The Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has urged the government to take concerted efforts to reverse the trend of medical tourism and brain drain in Nigeria's health sector. He made this call at the annual Convocation Ceremony of New Specialists and Doctors of Medicine at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Lagos. Olowolafe emphasized the need to build a healthcare system that Nigerians can access without leaving the country.
According to Olowolafe, Nigeria is richly endowed with human resources capable of building world-class institutions in the health sector. He stressed that the country has the talent and capacity to build strong institutions that can provide quality medical services. Olowolafe's ambition is to make Nigeria a destination for patients from across Africa, thereby reducing the enormous sums spent annually by Nigerians on medical treatment abroad.
The EKSU Chancellor expressed concern over the significant expenditure by Nigerians on medical treatment abroad, which contributes to the economies and healthcare systems of other countries. He noted that Nigeria's healthcare challenge remains significant, with estimates suggesting that the country could potentially retain ₦850 billion currently spent abroad on medical tourism annually. The WHO-Africa Health Observatory Platform estimates that outbound health tourism costs Nigeria about US$1 billion annually.
Olowolafe emphasized that investments in healthcare infrastructure and facilities must be matched by a corresponding investment in human resources to achieve the desired transformation. He stressed that hospitals and equipment alone cannot deliver the desired outcome, but people will. The educationist charged the new specialists and doctors to see themselves as agents of change and deploy their knowledge, skills, and expertise towards the renewal and transformation of Nigeria's healthcare system.
The Tunji Olowolafe Foundation has continued to contribute to the revitalization of hospitals, while also supporting medical education and specialist training. In July 2026, the Foundation, in partnership with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the Faculty of Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, commissioned West Africa's first EyeSi surgical simulator and inaugurated the Gbemisola Olowolafe Centre for Ophthalmic Simulation.
Olowolafe also expressed appreciation to NPMCN for conferring on him an honorary fellowship, assuring the institution that he would continue to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of medical practice and education in Nigeria. The EKSU Chancellor, who trained as a medical doctor and obtained his MBBS from the University of Ilorin, bagged the college's most prestigious award, the Honorary Fellowship.
The issue of brain drain in Nigeria's health sector remains a significant challenge. Olowolafe's call for concerted efforts to reverse this trend is timely, as the country seeks to strengthen its capacity to provide quality medical services. With the right investments in healthcare infrastructure and human resources, Nigeria can position itself as a credible destination for specialized medical care and international referrals.
Key points
- Dr. Tunji Olowolafe urges government to reverse brain drain in health sector.
- Nigeria spends enormous sums on medical tourism annually.
- Investments in healthcare infrastructure and human resources are crucial to transforming Nigeria's healthcare system.
