The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has debunked claims that it endorsed a faction of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE).
In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information & Public Relations, the Ministry clarified that the misconception followed a meeting between the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and representatives of Nurses Across Borders (NAB), an NGO of nurses in the diaspora.
According to the Ministry, NAB, which has been partnering with its Diaspora Unit on migration policy development, recently brought foreign partners to present strategies for managing the migration of Nigerian healthcare workers, similar to models in the Middle East and the Philippines.
The Ministry explained that during the presentation, some Nigerians in the diaspora who introduced themselves as representing NIDO Europe expressed interest in partnering with NAB on ethical migration mechanisms for Nigerian health workers. However, it stressed that this did not amount to an endorsement of any NIDOE faction.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical migration, the Ministry stated it will work only with reputable and experienced organisations for the mutual benefit of Nigeria and its migrating health workers, while remaining neutral in the internal affairs of diaspora groups.
Balogun said the clarification was issued to correct “any misrepresentation being circulated in the media” and reiterated that the Ministry remains committed to improving Nigeria’s health sector by harnessing resources from both local and diaspora professionals.
