VIDEO: Nigerian Doctors in Canada Have Become ‘Medical Agberos’ — Doctor Alleges

Canada-based Nigerian doctor, Arinze Onwumelu

VIDEO: Nigerian Doctors in Canada Have Become ‘Medical Agberos’ — Doctor Alleges

A Canada-based Nigerian doctor, Arinze Onwumelu, has stirred intense reactions online after alleging that some Nigerian medical practitioners in Canada have turned into what he describes as “medical agberos,” accusing them of aggressively competing for patients in a manner akin to transport touts at Nigerian motor parks.

The doctor made the claim in a video shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, where he lamented what he described as unhealthy rivalry among healthcare professionals, particularly within the Nigerian medical community in Edmonton, Alberta.

Drawing a comparison with transport touts commonly found at motor parks in Nigeria, Onwumelu said doctors now “drag” patients from one another in a manner similar to how touts lure passengers into boarding their vehicles. “This Canada where we are, Nigerian doctors have turned to medical agberos,” he said. Explaining his analogy, the doctor referenced the activities of transport touts at major bus terminals, where passengers are persuaded to abandon one vehicle for another with promises of cheaper fares and faster journeys. “Now we have doctors that do that here. They drag patients like there is no tomorrow. It has gotten to the stage that they kill themselves for patients,” he said.

The doctor further expressed concern over what he described as growing competition between older and younger practitioners, questioning why senior doctors would compete with younger colleagues for patients. “I don’t see any reason why a 70-year-old man would be dragging patients with a small boy. I don’t see any reason why a practice owner wouldn’t release a patient for a small boy,” he added. According to him, the situation could have long-term consequences for the medical community if not addressed. “But I have news for you, this city will be scattered in five years,” he warned. Describing the trend as embarrassing for the profession, Onwumelu said the conduct of some practitioners was damaging the image of doctors within the community and could adversely affect the chances of Nigerian doctors who plan to migrate to Canada to practice in the future. “This is disgraceful for our professionals as doctors. We’ve now become medical agberos and we would be the ones to damage this city,” he said.

READ ALSO:

His remarks quickly sparked debate on social media, with many users disagreeing with the comparison, while others questioned what exactly he meant by doctors “hustling” for patients. Several commenters argued that building a patient base is a normal part of professional practice and should not be compared to the activities of transport touts. Others, however, expressed concern that unethical competition could damage the reputation of Nigerian professionals abroad. @labalingo wrote: “I trust the system will root them out. Why I like the system abroad is they will give you a very long rope and allow the evidence to build up and then gbosa! You end up in jail.” @ann_omatf countered: “Calling medical professionals ‘agberos’ because they are building patient bases abroad is a stretch. They didn’t come to play.” @rexzeeefied011 questioned: “How’s that so? Are they given target as to how many clients they must treat??” @kelvinEda91 observed: “Anything wey Nigerians touch no worry e no fit be the same again. Especially the desperate ones.” @PlacidChief added: “Nigerians have a value problem and tend to be stupid most times. Greed will be the end of a lot of people.”

The controversy comes amid a growing presence of Nigerian medical professionals in Canada. The Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists (CANPAD) , a not-for-profit association registered in Ontario, Canada in 2001, recognizes and represents the professional and social interests of physicians and dentists of Nigerian descent living in Canada. CANPAD members meet annually across different provinces, and the organization offers scholarships providing financial assistance to students of African descent enrolled in Canadian institutions of higher learning. The association has approximately 2,000 members across the country, reflecting the significant and growing Nigerian medical community in Canada.

Nigerian doctors in Canada have also faced significant challenges, including reports of unconscious bias and systemic discrimination. A Nigerian medical doctor practicing in Calgary recently shared insights on these challenges, arguing that black immigrants start at a significant disadvantage in the Western job market. “As a black person in the West, you already have minus 30 percent. If you’re going for an interview, you already have minus 30 percent just for being black,” the doctor stated, adding that having an African name or a pronounced accent further deducts from one’s initial standing. The doctor described how even after prescribing treatment, a white patient would leave his clinic and go to ask the receptionist if the prescription is okay. “People always question you when you look different. People always question you when you’re black. Is he really a good doctor?” he said. Another professional, Dr. Zoe, likened the experience to a Nigerian proverb: “You as a black guy, you have to work three times harder than the local guys to be where they are.” Before moving to Canada, one doctor struggled to secure interviews despite his qualifications until a supervisor advised him to “remove the Nigerian thing” from his CV. “The moment I did that, I had about seven interviews in one week,” he claimed.

The term “agbero” has gained international recognition. In 2024, the Oxford English Dictionary officially included “agbero” in its lexicon, defining it as “a person who works as a tout at car parks and bus stops, collecting money from passengers and drivers, and ushering passengers onto vehicles.” The word is part of a growing list of Nigerian English terms now recognized by the prestigious dictionary, alongside “japa,” “419,” “eba,” and “suya,” among others.

Onwumelu’s warning raises important questions about professional ethics, cultural integration, and the reputation of Nigerian professionals abroad. As more Nigerian doctors seek opportunities in Canada, the behaviour of a few could potentially impact the perception of the entire community. The incident also highlights the broader tension between building a successful practice in a competitive healthcare system and maintaining the professional decorum expected of medical practitioners in Canada. Whether Onwumelu’s allegations reflect an isolated phenomenon or a growing trend remains to be seen, but his video has undoubtedly opened a necessary conversation within the Nigerian medical diaspora.