Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has raised alarm over the growing trend of Nigerian health workers leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

Speaking at the 10th induction ceremony for nursing graduates of ABUAD in Ado-Ekiti, Babalola described the situation as worrisome, pointing to the country’s economic hardships as a major reason for the mass exodus, popularly called the Japa syndrome.

Despite the university’s remarkable efforts — having trained over 1,000 nurses so far — Babalola lamented that only about 15 have remained in Nigeria. Even the ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, which pays relatively higher wages, has not been spared.

“In my hospital, where we pay higher wages, they still go away. This is because of the situation in the country. I don’t blame them,” Babalola said.

He, however, encouraged the new nursing inductees to carry the ABUAD flag high wherever they find themselves. He emphasised that character, hard work, and faith remain the bedrock of success.

“Wherever you go, please remember to be great ambassadors of ABUAD,” he urged. “The future is bright for you if you uphold character, hard work, and faith because faith never fails.”

Babalola also reminded them of the emphasis on discipline and integrity embedded in the nursing and ABUAD anthems, values which he said are strongly upheld in the university’s hospital.

In her keynote address, Prof. Adekemi Olowookere of the Department of Nursing Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, urged the new nurses to always adhere to the ethics of the profession. She stressed that integrity and ethical practice are essential for long and successful careers.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with a brain drain in the health sector, voices like Babalola’s echo a growing concern — that the country must urgently address the issues pushing its brightest talents away.