Over one thousand Nigerians stranded in South Africa are laying about following the country’s delay in  evacuating the citizens.    

South African anti-immigrants groups have given foreign nationals living in the country up till June 30 to exit the country.

President of Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said the conditions of the citizens is not looking too good, especially as they have been displaced.

He explained that frustration has started setting in. He added: “So far, we might have about a thousand people remaining. It’s not sounding well. Some of them are really frustrated. Some of them are managing wherever they found themselves as you may know that many of them came from far provinces and they are not living in Johannesburg here.

“So, currently, some of them are dispatched, hanging around in various places. Some in churches, in some community halls, and the weather is not favourable. “As you may know, we are in our winter season here in South Africa. So, it’s very cold and women and children being exposed to the cold weather, it’s a risk to their health. It’s also a risk to their general well-being. “So, the economic challenges- some of them don’t have money to buy food or buy hygiene products to continue to manage and wait. It’s been two weeks now since the cancellation on the 15th of January. “

He disclosed that support is coming from the Nigerian community.

He however pleaded with the government to hasten the process. 

According to him: “But the community is supporting where they can, buying groceries, buying food, and some personal hygiene products just to show them love and support. We continue to plead with our government and appeal that they will fast-track the process and whatever that is causing the technical delay so that these people will be airlifted and they will find their way back home where they can at least relax and have some peaceful sleep. So, the condition is not conducive for them.

“Many of them are squatting like you see like 10-15 people in one room or in one hall, you know, struggling to manage themselves and hold on until when they will get a confirmed date for evacuation. That is the current situation of our people.”

*INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH AWARENESS ON MIGRATION, IMMIGRATION, DEVELOPMENT AND REINTEGRATION – IYAMIDR NIGERIA*  

Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

*OPEN LETTER* 

*Date: 26th June, 2026* 

*Ref: IYAMIDR/OL/HEALTH/06/2026*

*To:* 

*His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR* 

*President, Federal Republic of Nigeria* 

*Aso Villa, Abuja*

*Solomon Okoduwa* 

*Executive Director, IYAMIDR Nigeria*

*RE: URGENT NATIONAL INTERVENTION TO STOP THE COLLAPSE OF NIGERIA’S HEALTH SECTOR AMID DANGEROUS ‘MEDICAL JAPA’ TREND*

Your Excellency, Mr. President,

*About IYAMIDR Nigeria:* The Initiative For Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration, IYAMIDR Nigeria, is a Benin City-based non-profit organization working on safe migration, brain drain mitigation, and the reintegration of skilled Nigerians. We engage youths, health professionals, and policymakers to ensure Nigeria retains the human capital required for national development.

I write with grave concern on behalf of millions of Nigerians who may soon have no doctors or nurses left to treat them. Nigeria is bleeding its health workforce. This is no longer “brain drain”. It is a hemorrhage that threatens national survival.

*1. THE EMERGENCY BY NUMBERS*

– *Over 50,000 Nigerian-trained doctors* now practice abroad. We may have more doctors outside than inside Nigeria.¹

– *4,193 doctors and dentists left in 2024 alone, with 66% going to the UK.*

– *43,221 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab scientists* left between 2023-2024.

– *23,000+ Nigerian nurses and midwives* migrated abroad 2023-2024. *16,156 Nigerian-trained nurses/midwives* are licensed in the UK as of Sept 30, 2025.

– *Doctor-to-population ratio: 1:5,000 vs WHO 1:600. Nurse-to-population: 1:2,000 vs WHO 1:300.*²

*2. WHY THEY ARE LEAVING: THE UNACCEPTABLE PAY & HAZARD GAP*

The pay disparity is the single biggest driver of ‘Medical Japa:

1. *Nigeria*: Doctors earn ~₦240,000/month ≈ $313. Entry-level doctors earn ₦1.81m/year ≈ $5,912. Nurses earn ~₦110,000-₦130,000/month.

2. *United Kingdom*: Doctors earn ~£2,448/month ≈ $2,967. NHS Band 5 nurses earn £2,498-£3,040/month ≈ ₦3.6m-₦4.4m. This means a UK nurse earns about 20 times a Nigerian nurse.

3. *United States*: Doctors average $316,000/year. Registered Nurses average $6,278/month ≈ ₦7.5m, with many earning $100,000+/year.

4. *Canada*: Doctors average $194,000/year. Nurses earn CAD 70,000+ ≈ ₦140.6m/year.

5. *Australia*: Nurses earn £80,091/year ≈ ₦146.8m.

6. *Even within West Africa*: Nurses earn $3,000-$4,000/month, which is 3 to 4 times Nigerian pay.

*Translation*: A UK doctor can earn a Nigerian entry-level doctor’s entire annual salary in less than 3 days.⁴

Beyond pay, our doctors and nurses face 72-hour shifts, non-working equipment, insecurity, and no insurance. 88% of doctors and 50% of nurses have considered leaving unless conditions improve.⁵

*3. THE IMPLICATION IF WE DELAY*

1. *Healthcare Collapse*: Rural and public hospitals will be left empty.

2. *Rising Medical Tourism*: Government will waste more forex abroad because we have no specialists at home.

3. *National Security Threat*: Inability to respond to epidemics, disasters, or military health needs.

4. *Wasted Investment*: Nigeria spends over *N220bn* training doctors only for other nations to benefit.

*4. OUR DEMANDS FOR URGENT ACTION WITHIN 90 DAYS*

We call on you, Mr. President, and all CC’d authorities to make this a strategic political concern:

1. *Emergency Retention Pay Scale*: Review CONMESS/CONHESS immediately. Pay Nigerian health workers at least 50% of UK Band 5 entry for nurses and a living wage for doctors. Pay all hazard/rural allowances.

2. *Fix Hospitals Now*: Equip facilities, provide insurance, security, and enforce humane duty rosters. No more doctors dying after 72-hour shifts.

3. *End Punitive Migration Barriers*: Review the NMCN 2-year rule and 6-month verification delay. Welfare retains, not restrictions.

4. *Diaspora Engagement*: Create a “Health Diaspora Bond” and circular migration for Nigerian doctors abroad to return, teach, or run telehealth for Nigeria.

5. *Adopt the Military Model*: Extend the Military Salary Structure’s welfare approach to civilian health workers, plus housing and education priority.

Mr. President, Edo State and Nigeria cannot afford to be a training academy for the UK, US, Canada, and Australia while Nigerians die at home. We must act now, or there will be no health sector left to save.

Respectfully submitted,

*Solomon Okoduwa* 

*Executive Director, IYAMIDR Nigeria* 

*Benin City, Edo State | Email : iyamidr@gmail.com| http://www.iyamidr.org*

*CC:* 

1. *Senator Monday Okpebholo*, Executive Governor, Edo State, Benin City

2. *Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Health*, Abuja, Nigeria

3. *Nigeria Medical Association, NMA*, National Secretariat, Abuja

4. *National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC*, Abuja, Nigeria

The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) has appointed Innocent Duru, an Assistant Editor (News) with The Nation Newspaper as the chairman of its Working Group on Regular Pathways and Trafficking in Persons.

The appointment, which took effect on June 18, 2026, was conveyed in a letter signed by PCMM Director, Aihawu Victor.

According to the organisation, Duru’s appointment is in recognition of his experience, commitment, and contributions to migration discourse, human rights protection, and advocacy for vulnerable persons.

PCMM expressed confidence that his leadership would provide the strategic direction and coordination needed to strengthen the activities of the thematic working group.

“As Chair of the Working Group on Regular Pathways/Trafficking in Persons, your role will include providing strategic leadership and coordination for the activities of the group, facilitating meetings and consultations among members, and supporting PCMM in identifying key issues, gaps, and emerging trends relating to migration and trafficking in persons,” the appointment letter stated.

The organisation outlined several responsibilities for the new chair, including leading the development of policy recommendations, advocacy messages, and position papers; promoting collaboration among civil society organisations, government agencies, development partners, and community actors; and encouraging knowledge-sharing and coordinated responses to migration challenges.

Duru will also be expected to support awareness campaigns on safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways while contributing to efforts aimed at preventing trafficking in persons and protecting survivors.

Other responsibilities include providing periodic updates and reports to PCMM leadership, representing the working group at meetings and advocacy engagements, and upholding the organisation’s values of promoting rights-based and humane responses to mixed migration.

PCMM noted that it expects the working group, under Duru’s leadership, to make significant contributions to the protection of migrants, the promotion of safer migration options, and the fight against human trafficking.

In accepting the appointment, Duru pledged to discharge his responsibilities in line with the vision, values, and objectives of the organisation.

The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on addressing migration challenges through collaboration, policy engagement, and the promotion of rights-based approaches to migration management and protection.