The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, has pledged to strengthen unity, accountability and purpose within the association as doctors confront growing challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Omoti made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring the 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting open.
The gathering is being held under the theme, “Transforming Healthcare Practice in Nigeria: Building Trust, Accountability and Collaborative Excellence.”
Professional Standards and Teamwork Take Centre Stage
The NEC meeting is also examining two major sub-themes focused on improving healthcare delivery.
They are “Strengthening Professional Standards and Ethical Practice in Healthcare Delivery” and “Promoting Team-Based Care and Safe Role Optimisation for Better Patient Outcomes.”
The discussions are expected to focus attention on professional ethics, patient safety, collaboration among healthcare workers and the need to improve standards across the sector.
Omoti Promises to Put Doctors’ Welfare First
Omoti said his administration would continue to pursue issues affecting the welfare of medical practitioners, including better remuneration and improved working conditions.
He also pledged to defend the dignity of the medical profession while pushing for safer workplaces and stronger opportunities for doctors to develop professionally.
According to him, the association would resist policies capable of compromising patient safety or diminishing the value of the medical profession.
However, he stressed that advocacy must be accompanied by responsibility within the NMA itself.
NMA President Demands Accountability From Members
Omoti said the association could not credibly demand transparency and accountability from governments, employers and healthcare institutions while failing to maintain the same standards internally.
He called for transparent leadership, credible processes, free and fair elections and responsible financial management.
He further emphasised that decisions within the association should be based on its constitution and the collective interests of its members.
The NMA president said members should feel a strong sense of ownership of the association rather than viewing it as an institution controlled solely by its leadership.
Internal Differences Should Not Divide the Association
Omoti also addressed disagreements within the NMA, acknowledging that differences of opinion were unavoidable in a large professional organisation.
He urged members to approach such disagreements through collaboration rather than allowing disputes to weaken the association.
The president called on delegates attending the NEC meeting to use the gathering as an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen cooperation across the organisation.
Labour Ministry Calls for Stronger Ethical Practice
Dr Kamil Shoretire, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and a keynote speaker at the meeting, urged medical practitioners to maintain high ethical standards in their professional duties.
He said the NMA should ensure that the conduct of its members reflects the expectations of both the Nigerian government and citizens who depend on the healthcare system.
Shoretire described the NEC meeting as an important opportunity to engage representatives from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on the responsibilities facing the medical profession.
Government Wants Healthcare Workers to Raise Service Standards
Shoretire encouraged NMA members to improve the quality of services they provide, comply with ethical requirements and operate effectively within Nigeria’s regulatory framework.
He reminded participants that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) remains the statutory regulator responsible for medical practice in the country.
He also said the Federal Government was implementing measures aimed at improving healthcare delivery but needed health professionals to play their part by providing quality services.
Japa Continues to Put Pressure on Nigeria’s Health Sector
The issue of healthcare worker migration was another major concern raised at the meeting.
Shoretire acknowledged that many Nigerian doctors and nurses have left the country for better opportunities abroad, a trend commonly referred to as the “Japa” syndrome.
He stressed that the government would need the cooperation of healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to address the consequences of the continuing migration of skilled workers.
According to him, Nigeria requires more than 300,000 healthcare professionals, while the number currently available is only around one-fifth of that figure.
Government Expands Training Opportunities
Shoretire said the Federal Government was continuing to increase opportunities for health-worker training through both public and private universities.
He explained that expanding the pipeline of trained professionals was part of efforts to address workforce shortages.
Beyond increasing numbers, however, he said the government wanted existing healthcare workers to operate more effectively and demonstrate greater empathy when dealing with patients.
Collaboration Seen as Key to Better Patient Outcomes
The focus of the 2026 NEC meeting reflects the wider challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, from professional standards and patient safety to workforce shortages and migration.
For the NMA, the meeting provides an opportunity to address internal organisational issues while also considering how doctors can contribute to broader improvements in healthcare delivery.
The emphasis on team-based care also highlights the importance of cooperation among doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in achieving better outcomes for patients.
What’s Next?
The decisions and discussions at the NEC meeting are expected to shape the NMA’s priorities in the coming period.
Members will be looking closely at issues surrounding professional welfare, ethical practice, accountability, workplace safety and the association’s response to challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
The leadership will also face pressure to translate its commitments on unity and transparency into practical measures that can strengthen confidence among members.
Summary
The NMA’s 2026 NEC meeting has opened with a strong call for unity, accountability and improved healthcare practice.
Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti pledged to defend doctors’ welfare, promote safer workplaces and protect the dignity of the profession while insisting that NMA members and leaders must also be held to high standards of accountability.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment urged doctors to uphold ethical standards and improve patient care, while acknowledging the severe impact of healthcare-worker migration.
With Nigeria facing a shortage of medical professionals and continued pressure from the “Japa” trend, both the NMA and government face the challenge of improving working conditions, strengthening training and ensuring that available healthcare workers can deliver quality and compassionate services.
