The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has announced plans to partner with Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
Dabiri-Erewa made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026, a programme aimed at leveraging global Nigerian medical expertise to improve local health systems.
The initiative, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” is designed to bring diaspora-based doctors and specialists to various geopolitical zones to conduct medical outreaches, perform specialised interventions, and provide professional training to local healthcare workers.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, while Nigeria receives over $20 billion annually in diaspora remittances, the country has yet to fully harness the technical expertise of its medical professionals abroad.
“Nigeria has a pool of highly trained diaspora health professionals who continue to make significant contributions to global healthcare systems,” she said. “Beyond financial remittances, their knowledge transfer, specialist care, mentorship, and systems expertise represent a powerful tool for national health transformation.”
She explained that the initiative would provide a coordinated framework to align diaspora expertise with priority health needs at both national and state levels, particularly in underserved communities.
Under the programme, seven diaspora-based medical associations will be deployed to Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, and Kaduna between July 20 and 23, 2026, ahead of the annual National Diaspora Day scheduled for July 25.
The visiting teams are expected to collaborate with state governments and local health institutions in their respective locations to ensure sustainable impact.
Participating organisations include the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, the Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists, the Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain, the Concerned Medics Foundation, the Nigerian Medical Association Germany, the Nigerian-Australian Medical & Dental Association, and the Nigerian Doctors Forum – South Africa.
The Federal Government said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector through strategic diaspora engagement.
