Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for improved pay and welfare for doctors and nurses, drawing attention to the working conditions of healthcare professionals and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s health workforce.
The call comes amid continuing discussions about the retention of medical personnel, remuneration and the pressures facing the country’s healthcare system.
Reporting published on September 28, 2026, identified Akpoti-Uduaghan among those urging the Federal Government to retain doctors through better pay and welfare.
Healthcare Workers and Working Conditions
Doctors and nurses play a central role in delivering medical services, from primary healthcare and emergency treatment to specialist care and public health programmes.
Their ability to provide consistent services depends partly on adequate staffing, suitable working environments, access to equipment and fair compensation.
Calls for better remuneration often reflect concerns about the demands placed on healthcare workers and the challenges involved in retaining experienced personnel.
Retaining Medical Professionals
Nigeria has faced sustained public debate over the movement of trained medical professionals to other countries in search of employment opportunities and improved working conditions.
Retention policies can involve salary reviews, professional development, workplace safety, staffing levels and improved facilities.
Better remuneration may form part of a broader strategy, although its effectiveness also depends on working conditions and opportunities for career progression.
Implications for Healthcare Delivery
Staff shortages can place additional pressure on healthcare workers and affect the time and resources available to patients.
Improving welfare conditions could support recruitment and retention, but the practical impact would depend on funding, implementation and how resources are distributed across federal, state and local healthcare facilities.
A comprehensive policy would also need to consider the different responsibilities and funding arrangements across Nigeria’s health system.
A Call for Policy Action
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position adds to the discussion about the conditions required to maintain a stable and effective healthcare workforce.
Further details about the specific measures she proposed, the costs involved and the government’s response would help establish how the recommendations could be implemented.
The broader issue remains how Nigeria can sustain its medical workforce while improving access to reliable healthcare services.