The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide-Ernest Omoti, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a stronger, united and purposeful association.
Omoti made the pledge on Wednesday at the opening of the NMA 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
The meeting’s theme is “Transforming Healthcare Practice in Nigeria: Building Trust, Accountability and Collaborative Excellence.” The sub-themes are “Strengthening Professional Standards and Ethical Practice in Healthcare Delivery” and “Promoting Team-Based Care and Safe Role Optimisation for Better Patient Outcomes.”
Omoti said his administration was committed to building an NMA that is united in purpose, courageous in advocacy, compassionate in leadership and accountable to its members. He added that the administration would continue to pursue members’ welfare, defend the dignity of the medical profession and advocate better remuneration and working conditions. He also pledged to promote safer workplaces and professional development for medical practitioners.
The NMA president said his administration would oppose policies that undermine patient safety or devalue the medical profession. He stressed, however, that the association must also be prepared to hold its members accountable.
“The NMA cannot demand accountability from government, employers and healthcare institutions while refusing to practise accountability within our own association.
“Our leadership must be transparent, our processes must be credible, our elections must be free and fair, and our finances must be responsibly managed.
“Our decisions must be guided by the Constitution and the collective interest, and our members must feel that the NMA belongs to them,” he said.
Omoti said disagreements within the NMA must give way to collaboration, stressing that differences of opinion are inevitable in a vibrant professional association. He added that such differences should not be allowed to destroy the institution members have built over the years.
The president urged members to make the NEC meeting a turning point in strengthening unity and collaboration within the association.
Dr Kamil Shoretire, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the NMA must uphold ethical practices that regulate healthcare delivery. Shoretire, who was a keynote speaker at the meeting, said the association should align professional practice with the expectations of government and citizens.
“This NEC meeting provides an opportunity to talk to members from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“It is a clarion call on all members of the NMA to rise to the expectations of Nigerian citizens and the Nigerian government,” he said.
Shoretire urged members to improve professional service delivery, uphold ethical conduct and respond appropriately to the regulatory environment. He noted that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is the statutory regulator of medical practice in Nigeria.
He added that the Federal Government is implementing measures to improve healthcare delivery and relies on health professionals to provide quality services.
“We depend on our healthcare professionals, including members of the NMA, to continue to provide their best for our people.
“They also need the support of government to continue to excel, especially in the face of the ‘Japa’ syndrome,” Shoretire said.
He noted that many Nigerian medical professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, have left the country in search of opportunities abroad.
“A lot of our medical professionals, especially doctors and nurses, have left the shores of this country.
“What we need is over 300,000, but what is available is just about one-fifth of that,” he said.
Shoretire said the Federal Government has continued to expand training opportunities for health workers in public and private universities. He added that the government is determined to ensure that available health workers function optimally and show greater empathy towards patients.
