As the wave of brain drain continues to deplete Nigeria’s most valuable human resources, a moving reflection by a concerned medical professional has once again drawn attention to the country’s growing crisis. Dr. Ayobami Aranmolate, a Nigerian healthcare expert, shared a personal and emotional account sparked by an old photograph on their phone—a quiet image of seven young nurses, all bright and passionate professionals once working within Nigeria’s health sector. Today, none of them remain in the country.
One nurse has relocated to the United Kingdom, another to Canada, while several others have already settled in the United States. The last among them is currently finalizing her papers to leave as well. The image, though still, tells a loud story of loss and neglect.
“My heart broke,” Dr. Ayo said. “Not out of envy or resentment—but grief. Grief for a country that continues to lose her brightest and most passionate talents to foreign shores.”
These nurses, Dr. Ayo noted, were not just healthcare workers but critical to the very soul of the health system—symbols of the type of professionals Nigeria desperately needs to build a stronger, healthier nation. Despite this, the country continues to push them away.
“Many of them have said to me, ‘Dr. Ayo, it’s because you are successful. That’s why you stayed.’ But what they don’t understand is this: every departure chips away at that very success. Because what is personal achievement if it’s not used to uplift the very soil that made us?”
The statement paints a bleak picture of Nigeria’s inability to retain its talents. According to Dr. Ayobami, the country has not created an environment that rewards loyalty, innovation, or excellence. The political leadership has failed to listen, plan, or act, and there is no clear vision to integrate the energy and intelligence of its youth into national development.
In the face of this crisis, Dr. Ayobami offered a detailed and urgent call to action, proposing a set of practical government interventions aimed at reversing the trend. These include establishing special grants for outstanding young professionals, forming innovation hubs in partnership with private institutions, and upgrading critical work environments such as hospitals and educational institutions. Other proposals include the creation of a national talent corps to fast-track leadership roles for committed youth, returnee incentives for diaspora Nigerians, mental health and career support services, and a renewed push for transparency and meritocracy in governance.
“We cannot keep bleeding our best minds and expect miracles. The world is welcoming them because we failed to value them,” Dr. Ayobami warned. “The time to act is now.”
The passionate appeal closes with a stark reminder of what is at stake. As more Nigerians find opportunities and recognition abroad, the homeland risks losing not just its workforce, but its future. Dr. Ayo’s message is clear: Nigeria must stop letting go of her talents. She must fight to keep them, nurture them, and build with them.