(Medical Graduates. Photo Credit; Vanguard News)
The head of Osun State University has told the university’s first batch of medical graduates not to leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad.
Instead, he urged them to use their skills to help the country’s struggling healthcare system.
The university inducted 90 medical graduates on Thursday in a ceremony in Osogbo.
Getting to this point was difficult the university’s medical program was shut down around 2011 because the state government said it could not afford to build a teaching hospital.
The program remained closed and seemingly abandoned for years.
Two groups of medical students were left uncertain about their future, with some eventually going to university in Ukraine to finish their studies.
Things changed when a new Vice-Chancellor arrived in 2016 and began working to bring the program back.
A former state governor approved continuing the program in 2018, and the current governor has provided funding to help the university get past infrastructure and accreditation problems.
The Vice-Chancellor told the newly graduated doctors that while the temptation to work abroad is understandable, Nigeria desperately needs their help.
He said millions of Nigerians lack access to basic medical care and the country’s healthcare system is in crisis.
He urged the graduates to let patriotism and a desire to help their people guide their career choices, rather than just personal gain.
He reminded them that they trained at home and should repay that investment by serving the people who need them most.
