Northern Nigeria is facing a critical shortage of doctors and other critical healthcare workers as persisting insecurity worsens the exodus of professionals.
The situation, public health experts note, is dire and deteriorating health outcomes for a region already grappling with high incidences of disease burdens and mortality, warning that the crisis will only worsen following spikes in insecurity.
Nigeria already struggles with insufficient doctors, yet the distribution is significantly skewed toward the south. According to the Joint Annual Review Health Sector Statistical Book 2025, states like Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Jigawa have 0.5 doctors per 10,000 population. This means there is half a doctor for 10,000 people, and approximately one doctor for every 20,000 people.