Lagos Needs 40,000 Doctors, Has Only 7,000 — Health Commissioner

The Lagos State Government has revealed that the state needs about 40,000 doctors to meet its growing healthcare demands but currently has only 7,000.

Health Commissioner Akin Abayomi disclosed this during a ministerial briefing marking Governor Sanwo-Olu’s seventh year in office, noting that Lagos also faces a shortage of about 40,000 nurses and other healthcare workers.

“For every doctor we have in Lagos, they are doing the job of ten,” he said.

Abayomi explained that the shortage is part of a global healthcare workforce crisis but added that the state is introducing reforms to reduce brain drain and attract Nigerian doctors abroad.

He said the government is improving working conditions, staff welfare, and accommodation, with new housing projects already completed or ongoing in several state hospitals.

“Nigeria has 40,000 doctors currently at a ratio of one doctor to 5,000 population. Nigeria needs 300,000 new doctors while Lagos requires 40,000 additional doctors. Currently, Lagos has 7,000. The gap for Lagos is 30,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses,” he said.