Doctor Shortage Worsens in Nigeria’s Private Hospitals as Medical Brain Drain Deepens

• Private hospitals in Nigeria are now facing severe doctor shortages, leading to long queues, delayed appointments, and surgery cancellations, mirroring the public health sector’s challenges.

• Patients in Lagos and Abuja report waiting days or weeks to see specialists, with many forced to seek care at multiple facilities due to unavailability.

• Medical professionals cite the ongoing mass exodus of Nigerian doctors as the key factor, with over 3,900 doctors leaving in 2024 alone. 

Private hospitals in Nigeria, once seen as a reliable alternative to the overstretched public health system, are now grappling with the same issues of doctor shortages, long delays, and overwhelmed medical staff.

From Lagos to Abuja, patients are reporting cancelled appointments, long queues, and unavailable specialists—signs of a deepening healthcare crisis fueled by the mass exodus of Nigerian doctors.

At a leading private hospital in Lekki, Lagos, a frustrated 50-year-old patient shared his ordeal: “I’ve come here three times just to see one doctor. Each time, I’m told the specialist isn’t available. Today again, despite having a booked appointment, I was asked to reschedule. This is the third time. How long am I supposed to wait?”

Julie, a woman in her 30s, recounted how her nephew had to wait days for emergency surgery due to the unavailability of a surgeon in Gbagada. “Leaving a child in pain for days wasn’t an option,” she said. “Eventually, we were referred to another hospital in Ogba.” In Abuja, patient Uyi Eseosa waited nearly three hours for a consultation after receiving number 48 on arrival. “The doctor was kind, but I spent the entire day just waiting,” she said.

Behind the scenes, doctors are overwhelmed. Dr. Arinze, a general practitioner in Lagos, said, “I see about 30 patients a day. It’s exhausting physically and emotionally. One of our doctors relocated abroad, and we haven’t been able to replace him.” He noted that many private hospitals are losing staff to the ongoing “Japa” trend, where doctors emigrate for better opportunities.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

Dr. Hadiza, a medical director in Abuja, added: “We’ve had to merge night and weekend shifts because we simply don’t have enough doctors. Two of our most experienced physicians relocated to Canada in the past six months.” She lamented that young doctors now see private hospitals as just stepping stones before traveling abroad.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has labeled the situation a national emergency. Its First Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, said, “Government officials keep offering empty platitudes, but the root causes remain unaddressed.” He condemned the exploitation of doctors through temporary contracts, no pension, or health insurance. “The elephant in the room is clear: Nigerian doctors are being exploited, dehumanized, and disrespected. The silence has broken, and the resilience is wearing thin.”

He warned that unless government policies tackle the real causes—such as poor compensation and lack of professional support—the crisis will worsen. “This isn’t just a loss for the medical profession. It’s a death sentence for millions who depend on the healthcare system,” Olowojebutu said.

READ ALSO:No Going Back on Strike, Lagos Nurses Insist

The data paints a grim picture. As of 2025, Nigeria has only about 55,000 licensed doctors, far below the WHO-recommended doctor-to-patient ratio. In 2024 alone, 3,974 Nigerian doctors emigrated, with over 12,000 now practicing in the UK.

Meanwhile, rural areas are the hardest hit, with some local governments having no resident doctor at all.