TUE MAR 17 2026-theGBJournal| Nigeria has called for a new global compact on health workforce mobility and stronger international collaboration to address the growing global health workforce crisis.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako made call on behalf of the country while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 United Kingdom Global Health Summit held at the Royal College of Physicians in London under the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Health, Together.”
Dr. Salako noted that the global health system is facing a convergence of pressures including economic instability, geopolitical tensions, climate-related health threats and severe workforce shortages.
According to the World Health Organization, the global health workforce is projected to face a shortfall of 10 million workers by 2030, with the most severe gaps expected in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr. Salako further called on destination countries to fully implement the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, advocating ethical recruitment frameworks that support joint training programmes, technology transfer and investment in health workforce development in source countries.
Emphasising the interconnected nature of global health security, the Minister noted that strengthening health systems in Africa remains critical to preventing future global health crises.
“The next pandemic or global health emergency will not respect borders,” he said. “Investing in resilient health systems across Africa is therefore not charity, but enlightened global self-interest.”
Dr. Salako also outlined Nigeria’s ongoing health sector transformation and called for renewed global solidarity in strengthening health systems.
The Minister noted that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, is expanding training capacity across medical and allied health institutions, strengthening workforce development and improving conditions of service for health professionals as part of efforts to build a more resilient health system.
The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s strategy to leverage the expertise of Nigerian health professionals in the diaspora.
Through structured collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the Federal Government is facilitating a coordinated diaspora medical mission involving Nigerian healthcare professionals across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia and South Africa to support skills transfer and institutional capacity building.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with governments, development partners, international organisations and the Nigerian diaspora to advance universal health coverage and sustainable health system development.
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