The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the state requires about 40,000 medical doctors to sufficiently cater to the healthcare needs of its fast-growing population, but currently has only around 7,000 doctors within its health sector.
The government stated that the shortage has resulted in a manpower gap of over 33,000 physicians across healthcare facilities in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, made this known on Tuesday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, as part of activities marking the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
According to Abayomi, Lagos is also experiencing a deficit of about 40,000 nurses and other medical workers required to improve healthcare delivery across government-owned hospitals and health institutions.
He explained that the shortage is part of a broader global crisis affecting healthcare personnel in several countries around the world.
“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.
The commissioner noted that despite the situation, Lagos was gradually becoming more appealing to healthcare professionals.
“For every doctor we have in Lagos, they are doing the job of ten,” he added.
Abayomi said the state government was introducing various measures targeted at reducing brain drain in the health sector while also encouraging Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to return home.
According to him, the government is focusing on healthcare financing reforms, better welfare packages and improved living and working environments for health workers.
“To reduce the brain drain and facilitate brain gain, the Lagos State government is prioritising healthcare finance reform, improve the working conditions of health workers, improve the living conditions of health workers and facilitate the return of Nigerian doctors in diaspora,” he stated.
He disclosed that housing projects for healthcare workers were ongoing in different state-owned hospitals.
Abayomi said the government recently completed a 72-unit accommodation facility for house officers at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, while similar housing projects at Odan, Gbagada and Ojo hospitals were close to completion.
He added that upcoming medical facilities planned by the government would include residential quarters situated near hospitals to improve the welfare and convenience of healthcare workers.
The commissioner further disclosed that LASUTH currently has about 120 medical specialists, while general hospitals across the state collectively have roughly 250 specialists.
