The African Action Congress (AAC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of deceiving Nigerians with false claims about the state of the country’s healthcare system.
In a statement issued by the party’s Oyo State chairman, Kayode Babayomi, the AAC condemned the government’s recent social media campaign, which suggested that foreigners were seeking medical treatment in Nigeria. The party dismissed this claim as a deliberate misinformation strategy aimed at misleading the public.
The AAC pointed to the ongoing brain drain in the health sector, emphasizing that more than 40,000 Nigerian doctors are currently practicing abroad, while only about 9,000 remain in the country. It also highlighted the challenges citizens face in accessing healthcare, including inadequate medical resources, unreliable power supply, and situations where patients are forced to contribute money for fuel.
The statement read: “Recently, we have seen the federal government aggressively promoting a false narrative that foreigners are traveling to Nigeria for medical care. This is nothing but a calculated public relations stunt designed to mask the dire state of our healthcare system. The reality is that over 40,000 Nigerian doctors have relocated to countries like the US, UK, and Canada, leaving just 9,000 doctors to serve a population of over 200 million. According to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), nine out of ten Nigerian doctors would prefer to work abroad.
“This massive exodus of medical professionals and the lack of essential facilities make it clear that Nigeria’s healthcare sector is in crisis. Many citizens have no choice but to seek medical care outside the country. In some instances, patients even fled isolation centers during lockdowns due to poor conditions. Public hospitals, particularly those at federal and state levels, struggle with a lack of resources and frequent power outages, forcing patients to contribute money to buy fuel. Ironically, the government officials promoting this misleading narrative do not even use these hospitals themselves. The president, for instance, is always on the next flight to France or the UK for even minor health concerns.”
The AAC further criticized the Tinubu administration for prioritizing luxury expenses over essential sectors like healthcare and education.
“A government that spends billions on luxury cars and other extravagances while neglecting the healthcare sector cannot be taken seriously,” the party continued. “For years, education and healthcare have been underfunded, while public officials live in comfort. Instead of spreading misleading PR campaigns, the Tinubu and Shettima-led APC government should focus on real reforms that will improve the lives of Nigerians.”
The party also urged the federal government to establish more affordable hospitals nationwide and called on state governments to prioritize healthcare and education instead of spending on vanity projects.
“The government should focus on building functional hospitals rather than projects that do not benefit the masses. For example, the bridge in Ekiti, promoted by former Governor Fayose, serves little purpose. State and local governments must focus on initiatives that have a direct impact on citizens rather than those that serve as opportunities for mismanaging public funds.”
The statement concluded with a strong warning, saying Nigerians are increasingly aware of these issues and will hold the government accountable in the 2027 elections.
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