Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed to Nigerian doctors not to leave the country, saying President Bola Tinubu loves them and wants them to remain in the country.

Mr Shettima made the disclosure on Tuesday when he hosted the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association led by its newly elected President, Prof. Bala Audu, at the Presidential Villa.

“President @officialABAT has Nigerian doctors at heart. He has a lot of empathy for our medical doctors who have opted to stay put at home, not for lack of offers,” Mr Shettima said.

The vice president urged Nigerian doctors to stay back at home and not leave to seek greener pastures abroad. 

He added, “Let us stay back and salvage this nation together. This is our country and the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in. All hope is not lost because Nigerian doctors are making giant strides, recording milestones in the profession and, most importantly, making tremendous sacrifices to serve this nation.’’

Though Mr Shettima said the President loves Nigerian doctors, Mr Tinubu usually travelled abroad for medical care before and continues upon assumption of office.

Economic downturn in Nigeria has seen many, including doctors leaving the country in search of greener pastures.

In 2023, President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, Lagos State, Akin Osibogun, said more than 30,000 Nigerian doctors had left the country to different parts of the world.