‘Japa’: 65% of Nigerian Physiotherapists Leave Due to Poor Working Conditions

More than 65 per cent‍ of Nigeria’s physiotherapists have left the country after their training due to poor working conditions and inadequate welfare. This was revealed by the President of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapists, Felix Odusoya during the society’s 65th anniversary celebration.

Odusoya described the mass exodus, ‘japa’, as a serious concern. Currently, Nigeria has only one physiotherapist for every 80,000 patients which is far below the recommended ratio of one to 10,000. This trend is not unique to the country’s physiotherapists. The National Hospital in Abuja recently lost a significant portion of its staff to better opportunities abroad. Reports indicate that many healthcare workers at the hospital have left due to low pay, lack of proper equipment, and unfavourable working conditions. This has put additional pressure on the hospital, leading to longer waiting times and overworked staff.

Odusoya lamented the mass exodus of healthcare professionals and warned that the situation will likely get worse without meaningful reforms. Professor Emeka Igwe, Vice Chancellor of Coal City University in Enugu, and former Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, echoed these concerns. They warned that if the government does not address these issues, the country’s healthcare system will further weaken.

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