Medical doctors have raised alarm that the country’s healthcare system is facing a dangerous manpower crisis, with only about 55,000 doctors left to serve a population of more than 220 million people.

They raised the alarm at the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, FNPH, Yaba, Lagos, with the theme, “Too Few Doctors, Too Many Patients: The Consequences of Manpower Shortage on the Mental Well-being of Nigerians.”

The doctors, among whom are mental experts, also said the present situation is worsening access to psychiatric care and leaving millions of vulnerable Nigerians untreated.

The doctors also said no fewer than 16,000 Nigerian doctors have emigrated in the last five years, worsening an already dire manpower shortage in the country’s health sector.

They warned that the sustained exodus of healthcare workers under the “Japa” syndrome had severely depleted the country’s mental health workforce, widened treatment gaps, increased the cost of care and placed enormous pressure on the few specialists remaining in the system.

Report quoted the President of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Prof Omoti Ernest, as declaring that recent data showed that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, had registered over 130,000 doctors but noted only about 55,000 are actively practicing within Nigeria.

He said with a population exceeding 220 million, this translated to roughly one doctor for every 3,600 to 4,000 people.

“This ratio is far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended threshold of one doctor to about 600 people, highlighting the significant shortage of medical personnel and the strain on healthcare delivery.

“Many Nigerian-trained doctors have emigrated or are no longer engaged in active clinical practice, contributing to the country’s healthcare workforce shortage,” the NMA President said.

He said the emigration of skilled professionals in search of better opportunities abroad has had a significant impact on Nigeria’s hospitals and healthcare workforce.

He said further: “Thousands of doctors and other healthcare professionals have left the country in recent years, leading to severe staff shortages, increased workload for those who remain with many suffering from burnout, longer waiting times for patients, and declining quality of care in many public hospitals.

“Rural and under-served communities have been particularly affected, as they already struggle with limited access to healthcare services.

‘’The reasons behind this migration include poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, insecurity, limited opportunities for career advancement, and insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure, among others.

“Many professionals are attracted by better pay, improved facilities, and more stable environments in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.”

To address the trend, he said the Federal Government should prioritise salaries and welfare packages for healthcare workers, invest more in modern medical equipment and hospital infrastructure, expand residency and specialist training opportunities, and create clear career progression pathways.

Omoti said: “Strengthening security, ensuring timely payment of wages, and providing incentives for professionals to work in under-served areas will also help retain talent.

‘’In addition, partnerships with the private sector and diaspora engagement programmes could encourage Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to contribute their expertise and support development of the country’s healthcare system.”

Reno Omokri, the Nigeria ambassador-designate to Mexico, has reacted after singer Davido called him Bingo.

Reno had attributed the delay in his resumption in Mexico to the ongoing World Cup.

Reacting to Reno’s claim, Davido in a now trending post on social media, knocked the ex-presidential aide. “Umu Bingo @renoomokri fowl,” the singer posted.

In response, Reno who described Davido’6 post as feedback, also tagged it most shocking.

Sharing screenshots of Davido’s insult on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Reno said the singer was angry because he faulted him for wearing a customized jacket bearing the abducted Oyo school children’s names to perform at the World Cup.

Reno wrote, “Dear Mr. David Adeleke AKA Davido, thank you for your feedback. I was rather surprised by your response to my post. Most shocking is your insult.

“You are an international celebrity whom Nigeria is proud of. Coming to insult me on my Instagram profile with such vulgar words should be beneath you. Yes, I’m aware that you were upset at my appeal to you not to use an international platform, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to give publicity to bandits and terrorists. I am also aware that Peter Obi praised you for doing that, which may have made you feel compelled to defend him.

“I did that because while your intention may be good and you think you are pressuring the government, the actual effect of what you did is to give publicity to the terrorists and help them spread fear, recruit new members, and raise funds.

“Meanwhile, IShowSpeed an American at that same event used the global stage of the World Cup to market Nigeria by wearing the jersey and speak well about Nigeria.”

Governors of the 36 states in the country, under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police.

The governors expressed this support after their second meeting held in Abuja, which stretched from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.

They, however, stressed that any new policing structure must be backed by clear constitutional provisions and must protect citizens’ rights.

According to report, the meeting focused on major national issues, including security, electricity reform, and nutrition.

However, discussions around state policing dominated deliberations as insecurity continues to remain a pressing concern across many parts of the country.

According to a communiqué signed by the NGF Chairman and governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors disclosed that they reviewed fresh progress made toward creating a workable state police system.

The Forum said members received detailed presentations from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on the ongoing efforts to support the establishment of state police across Nigeria.

The governors said the discussions also involved consultations aimed at reviewing proposed constitutional amendments and operational frameworks that would guide implementation.

Speaking after the meeting, Dapo Abiodun said governors agreed that state policing remains an important step in addressing security challenges, but insisted that the structure must be carefully designed.

“We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country,” Abiodun said.

After the deliberations, the Forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the States on efforts to support establishing State Police in Nigeria.

The Forum also noted a dedicated consultation with the Attorneys-General to review the proposed constitutional amendments and frameworks.