FGN Mobilizes 50,000 Diaspora Doctors to Fix Nigeria’s Health Sector
Nigeria is turning to its doctors abroad to bridge critical gaps at home…
Oru Leonard
At the 2026 National Diaspora Day, the Federal Government launched the full rollout of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII), a plan to deploy the expertise of over 50,000 Nigerian doctors and thousands of nurses, pharmacists and public health specialists living overseas.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said DHII will drive specialist medical outreaches, clinical mentorship, and research collaboration across all 6 geopolitical zones.
Enikanolaiye stressed that the diaspora remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic assets, serving as a bridge for diplomacy, technology transfer and global partnership well beyond remittances and investment.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Nigerians abroad and commended the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri Erewa, and the entire management and staff of the Commission for their dedication to advancing diaspora engagement and implementing impactful initiatives such as the DHII.
Speaking at the 2026 National Diaspora Day, NiDCOM Chairman Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the diaspora now has direct access to the highest levels of government, with both former President Buhari and President Tinubu holding engagements with Nigerians abroad, including a meeting by President Tinubu on the day of the event.
She reported key policy milestones: FEC’s approval of the National Diaspora Policy 2021 guiding all MDAs, and the appointment of Diaspora Focal Point Officers in nearly all 36 states and the FCT. Progress was also noted on the National Diaspora Database developed with NIMC, with guests urged to register.
On health, she highlighted the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative’s zonal medical missions across all six zones, in partnership with groups like CANPAD, ANPA and MANSAG, covering maternal health, sickle cell screening, surgery and neurosurgery. Diaspora medical groups have also donated hospital equipment worth billions. Other programs include the Diaspora Bridge for academics and the new Silicon Valley Tech Bridge with San José State University.
Remittances rose from $17 billion in 2019 to over $21 billion in 2025. Upcoming initiatives include investment summits in Abuja and Toronto, a housing partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank launching in the UK, a Diaspora Investment Fund, and a National Diaspora Health Corps targeting 1,000 professionals annually.
She cited humanitarian support during COVID-19 and disasters, evacuations from crisis zones, legal aid in 1,200+ cases, and trafficking rescues. Dabiri-Erewa urged passage of the diaspora voting bill and said the diaspora are now “Ambassadors at large.”
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