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.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Wednesday officially received former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo after she rejoined the party following her recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party also handed her the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central ahead of next year’s election.

Senator Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011.

She lost her re-election bid in 2011 and left the country to pursue a career in academia in the United States of America.

In January this year, Senator Obasanjo returned to active politics after 15 years and joined the ruling APC, where she declared her ambition to run for governor.

On May 31, she resigned her APC membership after losing the governorship ticket and rejoined her former party, the PDP.

Senator Obasanjo was officially received into the PDP fold at a massive rally held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

The reception was preceded by a procession through major streets in Abeokuta by Senator Obasanjo, flanked by the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, her supporters, and PDP members from Ogun Central and other parts of the state.

State Chairman of the PDP, Dr Abayomi Tella, presented the PDP flag to Senator Obasanjo, welcoming her back to the party and announcing her as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central in the next election.

“On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I, Abayomi Tella, PhD, the State Chairman of the PDP, and on behalf of PDP Ogun Central, present to our revered sister, Prof. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central,” Tella said.

Taking the party’s oath, Senator Obasanjo pledged her loyalty and allegiance to the PDP, its constitution, manifesto, and code of conduct.

“I commit myself to the ideals of the PDP. I shall serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication, prioritising their welfare above personal and sectional interests,” she declared.

The former commissioner reiterated that she left the ruling party because of disrespect, betrayal, and unfair treatment by the APC leadership.

Senator Obasanjo said the acts of disrespect and betrayal were fueled by those she had “helped and clothed” politically.

She declared that she remains the candidate to beat in the next election, saying she remains the best senator to have represented Ogun Central.