DHII 2026: Nigeria Mobilises Global Diaspora Medical Experts to Strengthen Health System

The 2026 National Diaspora Day will focus on mobilising Nigerian medical professionals abroad to strengthen the country’s healthcare system under the theme: “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”

The event, organised in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Federal Ministry of Health, diaspora medical associations worldwide, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), among others, will take place as part of the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 (DHII 2026).

Under DHII 2026, diaspora doctors, nurses and other health professionals will conduct medical interventions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones beginning July 20, with activities culminating in a grand finale in Abuja on July 25–26, 2026.

Strengthening Local Health Systems

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the initiative is designed to harness the expertise, innovation and global experience of Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora to expand access to specialist care, particularly in underserved communities.

She noted that DHII 2026 reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable national coverage across the North East, North West, North Central, South East, South South and South West zones.

According to her, beyond the over $20 billion in annual remittances, Nigerians in the Diaspora contribute significantly through knowledge transfer, specialist interventions, mentorship and advisory support to the nation’s health sector. She explained that the initiative provides a structured framework for aligning diaspora expertise with priority federal and state health needs, in line with the National Diaspora Policy.

Deployment Across States

Seven major diaspora medical associations will deploy to designated states between July 20 and July 23, 2026.

Assignments include:

Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA – USA): Imo, Abia and Enugu States

Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists (CANPAD – Canada): Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)

Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain (MANSAG – UK): Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto States

Concerned Medics Foundation (UK): Borno State

Nigerian Medical Association Germany: FCT and Nasarawa State (Keffi)

Nigerian-Australian Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA – Australia): Bayelsa, Edo (Benin City), Akwa Ibom (Uyo) and Rivers (Port Harcourt)

Nigerian Doctors Forum South Africa (NDF-SA): Lagos State

The outreach will focus on specialist clinical services, maternal and neonatal health, sickle cell screening, women’s health, interventional radiology, neurosurgery, echocardiography, point-of-care ultrasound, medical leadership and health systems strengthening. Emphasis will also be placed on sustainable capacity building and hands-on mentorship for local practitioners.

Flag-Off and Policy Dialogue

The initiative will be officially flagged off in Abuja at the start of Diaspora Week 2026. Participating teams are expected to reconvene in Abuja on July 24 to submit outcome reports and impact data.

These findings will inform policy dialogue and programme scaling discussions during National Diaspora Day activities on July 25, 2026.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of diaspora engagement as a strategic pillar of national development.
She also thanked the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; the Federal Ministry of Education; state governments; professional bodies; development partners; the private sector; and the media for their collaboration.
She commended Arco Petrochemical and Marine Engineering Company for supporting the youth segment of the Diaspora Day events and called on Nigerian health professionals abroad to continue partnering with the government to build resilient, equitable and people-centred healthcare systems.

Broad-Based Support

Representatives of participating diaspora associations, including Dr. Cliff Eke (ANPA–USA), Dr. Babatunde Awakan (CANPAD–Canada), Jide Menakaya (MANSAG–UK), Dr. Sadiya Gumi-Bennett (Concerned Medics Foundation), Hamid Balogun (NMA Germany), alongside others from NAMDA Australia and NDF-SA, as well as the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fatima Kyari, commended NiDCOM and the Ministry of Health for the initiative and called for its sustainability.

Pre-event activities have already commenced, with virtual sessions covering women’s health, interventional radiology, neurosurgery, echocardiography and other specialised areas of care.