Brain Drain among Nigerian Doctors: Country’s Implications and Policy Responses

Over the past two decades, the migration of medical doctors has shown remarkable trends. In Nigeria, the medical profession stands out as one of the most mobile, highly skilled occupations and grapples with severe labor shortages. This study delves into two primary aspects. Firstly, it examines the main theoretical contributions and historical evolution of two phenomena: brain drain and medical brain drain. Secondly, it aims to raise inquiries, provide insights, pinpoint critical concerns, and propose potential solutions to curtail the emigration of medical doctors from Nigeria to developed nations. Secondary data source through desktop research was employed. Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used with mixed method research methodology involving qualitative and quantitative methods. Our results reveal that the attractive remuneration of doctors, a pleasant working environment, and adequate provisions for career advancement in the destination countries are among the pull factors for doctors' brain drain. In like manner, the surge in demand for healthcare services and improvements in medical technology in the receiving country act as driving forces behind the migration of medical doctors from developing nations, such as Nigeria. Keywords: Brain Drain; Migration; Poor Wages; Opportunities; Remuneration