Nigerian Doctor Breaks Down Over Alleged Policy Delaying Doctors’ Plans To Work Abroad

A Nigerian medical doctor has expressed frustration over an alleged requirement that physicians must complete five years after registration before they can obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, a document commonly required during professional verification for doctors seeking to practise abroad.

The doctor raised the concern in a video circulating on social media, warning that the reported requirement could disrupt the plans of medical professionals who have invested millions of naira in international examinations, preparations and applications for overseas employment.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the doctor claimed that October 2028 was the date he had been able to verify in connection with the reported requirement. He expressed concern that affected doctors could experience significant delays despite the financial resources, time and effort they had committed to pursuing opportunities outside Nigeria.

The development appeared to have intensified his dissatisfaction with the country’s medical practice environment, prompting him to openly question his decision to study medicine in Nigeria.

In a separate statement, the doctor described practising medicine in the country as a form of slavery and bondage, saying the challenges confronting medical professionals had left him deeply frustrated.

He explained that he had devoted a significant part of his youth, strength, time, personal relationships and financial resources to becoming a medical doctor. He also highlighted the sleepless nights, sacrifices and personal struggles involved in completing his medical education and building a career.

The doctor said his frustration had grown to the point where he was beginning to resent practising medicine in Nigeria, adding that his concerns reflected the difficulties experienced by other medical professionals facing similar challenges.

He lamented that after investing millions of naira and years of dedication in the profession, doctors could still encounter obstacles that complicate their efforts to advance their careers internationally.

His comments have drawn attention to the concerns of Nigerian doctors seeking better professional opportunities abroad, as well as broader discussions about working conditions, career progression and the challenges facing the country’s healthcare sector.

However, the specific five-year requirement, its proposed implementation date and the extent to which it applies to doctors seeking a Certificate of Good Standing for overseas registration have not been independently verified in the account.

The reported policy has nevertheless raised questions about how regulatory requirements could affect medical professionals planning to pursue international opportunities, particularly those who have already committed substantial resources to the process.