The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and its healthcare professionals in the diaspora, describing their expertise, experience and global networks as critical to the ongoing transformation of the country’s health sector.
Salako made the call while delivering the goodwill message of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare at the 2026 National Diaspora Day celebration held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, Nigerian professionals in the diaspora, development partners and stakeholders in the health sector.
The Minister commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for initiating the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, describing the programme as a strategic platform for mobilising Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad in support of national healthcare reforms.
He noted that through the initiative, diaspora doctors, nurses, pharmacists, researchers and other healthcare professionals have continued to support Nigeria through medical missions, specialist surgeries, clinical mentorship, telemedicine, research collaboration, capacity building and knowledge transfer.
According to him, the initiative has demonstrated the enormous potential of Nigerian professionals abroad in strengthening healthcare delivery, improving access to quality medical services and supporting the Federal Government’s drive towards achieving universal health coverage.
Salako stressed that the Ministry remains committed to sustaining partnerships with Nigerians in the diaspora and creating an enabling environment that would encourage more healthcare professionals abroad to contribute their expertise to national development.
He said strengthening collaboration between healthcare institutions in Nigeria and diaspora professionals would help bridge manpower gaps, improve specialist care, enhance medical education and accelerate innovation within the country’s health sector.
The Minister commended Nigerian medical associations across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, South Africa and other countries for their continued support through medical outreach programmes, professional exchanges and healthcare investments.
He also acknowledged the contributions of development partners and professional organisations that have continued to support healthcare interventions across Nigeria.
Salako praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising healthcare under the Renewed Hope Agenda and for supporting policies that encourage greater diaspora participation in national development.
He equally lauded NiDCOM’s efforts in coordinating engagements with Nigerians abroad and strengthening partnerships that continue to yield measurable benefits for the country.
Earlier, the event was declared open by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to institutionalising the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative as a major platform for mobilising the expertise of more than 50,000 Nigerian doctors and thousands of other healthcare professionals living abroad.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, described the diaspora as one of Nigeria’s greatest strategic assets, while NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted the Commission’s achievements in healthcare, investment, education and humanitarian interventions since its establishment.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs on behalf of Senator Eteng Bassey, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, and other development partners.
The celebration attracted participants from across the globe, including representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), diaspora medical associations, international organisations, diplomatic missions, government agencies, private sector organisations and other stakeholders committed to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through diaspora engagement.
