Northern Nigeria faces severe doctors shortage

Northern Nigeria is grappling with an alarming shortage of medical doctors, with some states recording a single doctor attending to over 43,000 patients, according to the SBM Health Preparedness Index 2025.

The report, which assessed the readiness of Nigeria’s 36 states to handle health emergencies and deliver quality medical services, paints a dire picture of healthcare inequality across the country.

It revealed that northern states such as Bauchi, Zamfara, and Kebbi are the most affected, with each doctor catering to tens of thousands of patients.

Bauchi tops the list, with one doctor serving about 54,249 people, followed by Zamfara with 49,266, and Jigawa with 48,466. In Kebbi, a single doctor is responsible for 43,807 patients, while Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Sokoto, and Benue also face similarly overwhelming patient-to-doctor ratios.

By contrast, southern states have a much healthier distribution of medical professionals.

Enugu recorded the best doctor-to-patient ratio in the country, with one doctor serving just 299 patients, followed by Lagos, Edo, Osun, Rivers, and Ogun, where access to medical care is significantly better.

The report attributed the disparities to structural challenges, brain drain, and insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure.

It noted that Nigeria is suffering a double loss — not only struggling to retain its trained doctors but also effectively subsidising the health systems of wealthier countries that employ them.

Health experts warned that the mass migration of medical professionals continues to endanger Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially in underserved rural areas. Without urgent reforms — including competitive pay, modern medical infrastructure, and improved security — the country risks a worsening crisis where its few remaining healthcare workers are stretched beyond capacity.

The report also highlighted persistent imbalances in state health budgets.

Lagos leads in nominal terms, allocating over ₦221 billion to the health sector, while Kaduna State ranks highest in relative terms, dedicating 16.1% of its budget to healthcare.

Kano (15.2%) and Bauchi (15.1%) also prioritise health in their fiscal plans.

However, some states remain far behind. Akwa Ibom (4.3%), Bayelsa (4.1%), and Imo (3.5%) allocate the least to health despite facing risks from disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

In per capita spending, Abia (₦22,926) and Ogun (₦21,051) lead, while Imo (₦3,950) and Adamawa (₦4,271) trail significantly, limiting access to quality care for millions.

The report concludes that unless Nigeria addresses its human resource and financing gaps, the country’s healthcare system will remain ill-equipped to protect its growing population from preventable diseases and public health crises.