Lagos State is taking a bold approach to combat healthcare worker shortages by promoting “circular brain gain” initiatives, according to Professor Akin Abayomi, the state’s Health Commissioner.
Speaking exclusively to News Central on the sidelines of a recent event on strategic healthcare purchasing, Professor Abayomi acknowledged the challenge of brain drain but proposed a shift in focus towards “circular brain” or “brain gain.”
“We have a vast Nigerian diaspora in Europe, America, and globally,” he explained. “Modern technology and our increasingly mobile world allow us to tap into this ‘circular brain’ concept, attracting talent both physically and virtually.”
Professor Abayomi highlighted a growing interest among Nigerians abroad to return home, crediting the Lagos government’s efforts to create an enabling environment.
“We don’t just want to encourage people to come back,” he clarified. “Our goal is to build an attractive ecosystem that fosters their return naturally.”
The Commissioner outlined several initiatives undertaken by the state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu‘s strategic health plan. These include infrastructure upgrades, investments in healthcare personnel, improved diagnostics, regulatory reforms, and creating a business-friendly environment for the private sector.
“We’re already seeing positive outcomes,” Professor Abayomi reported. “Our aim is to achieve universal health coverage for Lagosians, providing a basic safety net.”
With Lagos positioned as the commercial hub of Sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Abayomi has a further vision: “Lagos as the healthcare economic capital of the region, a leading destination for medical tourism across Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond. The data suggests we’re on the right track, and much credit goes to the Governor’s dynamic health policies for Lagos State.”
