The Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Musa Olomu, has emphasized that Nigerian doctors will continue to migrate abroad unless they receive better remuneration and incentives.

Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta on Thursday where he presented his eight-year scorecard ahead of his May 31 retirement, Olomu acknowledged the Federal Government's efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector but insisted these measures are insufficient to retain medical talent.

"They are increasing admission into medical schools, building pharmacies, laboratory technology facilities, those things are increasing, not that they are reducing the number of doctors relocating to the US, UK, and Europe. Let them also give us the incentives that we deserve," Olomu stated.

The outgoing medical director highlighted the disparity between the quality of work performed by Nigerian doctors and their compensation. He cited a case at FMC Abeokuta where doctors successfully separated cancer from nerves and bones, saving a patient's life—a procedure comparable to those performed in developed countries.

"What is the salary of those doctors? Around 700,000 to 800,000 naira. What are they going to do with that? And you say they shouldn't go to where they will be paid 10 million per month so that they will be able to take care of their wives and children?" he questioned.

Olomu called for a return to the colonial-era practice where doctors were highly valued in the civil service hierarchy. "Give us the salaries that we deserve as the colonial masters were doing in those days when they treated us as number two immediately after the Director General. Then doctors will stay," he added.

While acknowledging government investments in health infrastructure and training, Olomu maintained that addressing compensation is crucial to stemming the tide of medical professionals leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "japa" in local parlance.

Reflecting on his eight-year tenure as Medical Director, Olomu reported that FMC Abeokuta has been transformed into a world-class facility through the acquisition of modern equipment and recruitment of qualified medical and non-medical personnel.