Nigeria’s healthcare community erupted in criticism following President Bola Tinubu’s recent agreement to deploy Nigerian doctors to Saint Lucia. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the leading body representing physicians in the country, issued a strong condemnation of the deal, describing it as unjust, morally indefensible, and detrimental to Nigeria’s fragile health system.
The controversial arrangement emerged during the President’s visit to the Caribbean nation, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would see Nigerian medical professionals sent to work in Saint Lucia under a government-coordinated technical manpower scheme.
Although government officials described the move as part of a broader strategy to strengthen international relations and offer employment to surplus professionals, the NMA has expressed outrage, asserting that the agreement ignores the worsening healthcare situation at home.
Government Prioritizes Diplomacy Over Domestic Needs
The federal government presented the deal as a form of “soft-power diplomacy” designed to boost bilateral ties with Caribbean nations. Under the terms of the MoU, Nigerian doctors will work in Saint Lucia for a contracted period and receive salaries significantly higher than what they earn in Nigeria. According to estimates, participating doctors could earn as much as five times their current pay.
However, the NMA has rejected this justification outright. In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, the association questioned why the government would focus on deploying doctors abroad when local health professionals are struggling under abysmal conditions. The NMA emphasized that Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to face systemic neglect, ranging from withheld allowances and low pay to poor working conditions and lack of support for medical training.
Dr. Egbo stated, “This decision sends the wrong message. It suggests that the government is more invested in polishing its international image than resolving the urgent and long-standing problems affecting Nigerian doctors.”
A Demoralized Workforce
Nigeria’s medical professionals have long decried their working conditions. According to the NMA, doctors across the country face a litany of challenges, including unpaid allowances, inconsistent implementation of agreed salary structures, and lack of hazard pay despite the risks associated with their jobs.
In particular, the association cited delays in the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), a financial support mechanism for young doctors undergoing specialized training. Many hospitals still operate with outdated equipment, and doctors often work in high-stress environments without the necessary resources to deliver quality care.
These issues, the NMA warned, are contributing to a dangerous rise in burnout, mental health issues, and even premature deaths among healthcare workers.
Brain Drain and Its Consequences
One of the most critical concerns raised by the NMA is the continued mass emigration of Nigerian doctors. Over the past decade, thousands of healthcare professionals have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad. The association has repeatedly warned that unless the government addresses the root causes of this migration—chiefly poor remuneration and unsafe working conditions—the health sector could collapse entirely.
Dr. Egbo described the new agreement as a further endorsement of the brain drain crisis. “By officially sending doctors abroad while ignoring the needs of those who remain, the government is legitimizing the mass exodus of our most skilled professionals,” he said. “This will only increase the burden on the few who choose to stay.”
Mounting Tensions and a Looming Strike
The agreement with Saint Lucia came just one day after the NMA issued a public ultimatum to the federal government. On July 2, the association gave authorities 21 days to respond to a series of unresolved issues. These include:
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The withdrawal of a controversial salary circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which the NMA claims downgrades doctor compensation.
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Fulfillment of all previously negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
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Immediate payment of all outstanding allowances.
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Standardization of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) across all states and health institutions.
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Respect for the professional autonomy and dignity of medical personnel.
The NMA warned that failure to meet these demands within the specified timeframe would result in nationwide industrial action.
A Tale of Two Salaries
Further fueling the outrage is the stark salary disparity between Nigerian doctors and their counterparts in Saint Lucia. According to the NMA, doctors deployed under the Saint Lucia agreement will earn five times more than those who remain in Nigeria.
Dr. Egbo said this imbalance is both insulting and demoralizing. “Why should a Nigerian doctor earn significantly less simply because they choose to serve their own country?” he asked. “This sends a dangerous message—that loyalty to Nigeria comes with a price of personal suffering and professional frustration.”
The NMA has released a comparative chart showing the vast gap in remuneration, which they believe underscores the gross undervaluation of medical professionals working within Nigeria’s borders.
Ignoring Historical Patterns
Observers have noted that this latest move is consistent with a long-standing pattern of disregard for Nigeria’s healthcare workers. Despite numerous protests, strikes, and ultimatums, successive administrations have consistently failed to address the systemic issues that plague the sector.
The most recent doctors’ strike in 2021 lasted over 60 days and nearly brought Nigeria’s healthcare services to a halt. While some temporary solutions were implemented, most of the core demands—including improved pay, infrastructure upgrades, and professional development—remain unmet.
Diplomatic Gains at What Cost?
The Tinubu administration has touted the Saint Lucia agreement as a diplomatic success that will enhance Nigeria’s influence in global affairs. But critics argue that true diplomatic strength begins at home.
“Global respect comes not from how many doctors we export, but from how well we treat our own citizens,” said a Lagos-based health analyst. “When a country can’t guarantee basic healthcare for its people or a living wage for its doctors, then all this talk of foreign policy is meaningless.”
Public Reaction and Growing Discontent
The general public has also reacted strongly to the Saint Lucia deal. On social media platforms, Nigerians expressed anger at the government’s priorities. Many described the agreement as a betrayal of national interest, and some accused the federal government of trying to “sugarcoat” the healthcare crisis by exporting talent instead of fixing domestic problems.
One Twitter user wrote: “If Nigerian doctors can be paid five times more to work abroad, why can’t they be paid decently at home? What message is the government sending?”
The growing discontent suggests that the government’s attempt to spin the Saint Lucia deal as a win could backfire unless urgent action is taken to address the grievances raised by the NMA and its members.
A Call for Policy Rethink
While the NMA affirmed its support for regional cooperation and international partnerships, it stressed that such efforts must not come at the expense of the country’s own healthcare system.
“We do not oppose partnerships with other countries,” Dr. Egbo explained. “But we must first fix the house before inviting guests. Exporting doctors without resolving their grievances at home is a short-sighted approach that undermines our collective well-being.”
Conclusion: Fixing Healthcare Must Come First
The NMA’s fierce opposition to the Saint Lucia agreement has thrown Nigeria’s health policy into sharp relief. As the clock ticks on the 21-day ultimatum, the federal government now faces a critical choice: prioritize international optics or finally address the deep-rooted issues plaguing the country’s healthcare system.
One thing remains clear—until the welfare of Nigerian doctors is taken seriously, any policy that overlooks their well-being will only deepen the cracks in an already fragile system.