*The Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, in Kwara State, has advised the newly-inducted medical graduands of the tertiary institution against relocating abroad for the proverbial greener pasture, describing the high rate of Nigerian medical practitioners’ leaving the country for overseas opportunities as ‘disheartening’

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In order to address the disturbing brain drain challenge in key sectors of the Nigerian economy, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in Kwara State of Nigeria, has advised the newly-inducted medical graduands of the institution against relocating abroad.

Brain drain has been described as “the movement of highly skilled people, especially scientists and technical workers, to a country offering better opportunities.”

Cross-sections of Medical graduands of UNILORIN   Photo: Dema Photography

The University’s Vice-Chancellor stated this Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at the 37th induction ceremony of Batch ‘B’ 2021 medical graduands of the tertiary institution’s College of Health Sciences.

Prof. Abdulkareem also urged the graduands to leverage existing opportunities in the country to provide and improve healthcare in Nigeria, agency report said.

Abdulkareem urged them to understand that “their services are greatly needed in suburban areas rather than looking for quick ways to relocate abroad.”

He as well decried the increasing rate of Nigerian medical practitioners relocating abroad, describing the trend as “disheartening.”

Abdukareem further stated: “It is disheartening to note that we may have just trained you to become assets to other countries.

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Honourable Minister for Health

“This brain drain leaves the country unable to benefit from the investments it had made in your training.

“Let me make it clear to you that the nation needs your services dearly and is willing to benefit from your expertise.”

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the institution would continue to provide an enabling environment for the training of medical practitioners and other health workers.

Olanrewaju Adedoyin, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at UNILORIN, expressed confidence that the 11 inductees would keep up “the nobility of the medical profession.”

Baba Issa, Kwara Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), also encouraged the graduands to contribute their quotas to the development of the Nigerian healthcare system, and not be discouraged by the current challenges.