Nigeria’s Health Crisis Deepens as Canada Opens Express Entry Route for Foreign Doctors

Nigeria’s Health Crisis Deepens as Canada Opens Express Entry Route for Foreign Doctors

As Nigeria battles a worsening shortage of medical personnel, especially in the northern region, Canada has announced plans to introduce a new Express Entry category in early 2026 that will allow foreign doctors working in the country to more easily transition to permanent residency. The policy is expected to intensify Nigeria’s already severe medical brain drain.

In a joint statement, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Diab, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, revealed that the new immigration stream will target international physicians with at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible medical occupation within the past three years. The initiative comes as Canada grapples with persistent shortages of physicians and seeks to stabilise its healthcare system by attracting skilled professionals.

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The development poses serious concerns for Nigeria, where the doctor-to-patient ratio has reached crisis levels. According to the Joint Annual Review Health Sector Statistical Book 2025, several northern states—including Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa—have as few as 0.5 doctors per 10,000 people, meaning one doctor may be responsible for up to 20,000 patients. Some states report cases where a single doctor attends to more than 43,000 patients, far below the World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmark of 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people.

While no Nigerian state meets the WHO standard, the northern region suffers the most acute shortages, aggravated by long-standing insecurity and deteriorating working conditions that continue to drive medical professionals abroad.

Although Canada is opening doors specifically for foreign doctors, it is simultaneously tightening aspects of its broader immigration system for 2026—yet the targeted pathway is expected to draw interest from Nigerian physicians seeking better pay, improved facilities, and safer working environments.

Health experts warn that unless Nigeria implements urgent retention policies, the introduction of Canada’s new immigration category could further erode the country’s already fragile healthcare system.

Nigeria’s Health Crisis Deepens as Canada Opens Express Entry Route for Foreign Doctors