Minister Affirms High Earnings for Nigerian Health Workers

Nigeria’s Health Workers: Among the Best Paid in the Sector

During a recent visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, emphasized that health workers remain among the highest-paid professionals in Nigeria. He stated, “Within Nigeria’s economic realities, health workers are among the best-paid professionals.”

Dr. Salako acknowledged the ongoing “japa syndrome,” referring to the emigration of healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. He attributed this trend primarily to economic challenges but expressed optimism that it would soon be reversed. He highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing these issues, noting, “The challenge of ‘Japa’ in the health sector is mostly an economic challenge, and we will continue to address it.”

In line with efforts to improve the healthcare sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

Despite these measures, it’s important to note that Nigerian healthcare professionals often earn significantly less than their counterparts in countries like the United Kingdom. For instance, an average nurse in the UK earns approximately £15,000 annually, whereas the best-paid nurses in Nigeria earn about 300,000 naira per year.