Former Rivers State Governor and Founder/Pro-Chancellor of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Peter Odili, has expressed concern over the growing exodus of teachers and clinicians in Nigeria’s medical education sector, warning that the trend poses a serious challenge to the nation’s healthcare system.

Odili spoke at the 8th Founders’ Day and 5th Convocation Ceremony of PUMS in Port Harcourt, where he called for an urgent upward review of the retirement age and remuneration of medical professionals to curb brain drain.

Describing the development as a “silent national crisis,” the former governor said no state has been spared the loss of qualified medical educators and clinicians to foreign countries in search of better opportunities.

“Permit me to draw attention to what I consider a silent national crisis—the exodus of teachers and clinicians in medical education across the country. No state is spared. Institutions are faced with yawning gaps of qualified professionals who should be training our children,” he said.

Odili urged the Federal Government to peg the retirement age of medical professionals at 70 years, noting that experience has shown retired doctors and professors remain productive and effective well beyond the current threshold.

According to him, medical professionals differ from other occupations because they cannot suspend or delay critical services, especially in emergency situations.

“Judges can adjourn cases and engineers can suspend projects, but no medical doctor can postpone treatment when a patient is in danger. Drawing a common line across professions is an imperfect analogy,” Odili said, adding that remuneration for medical professionals should be reviewed upward.

He commended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for sustained investment in education and healthcare, particularly the support for Rivers indigenes studying at PUMS. Odili also praised the governor’s alignment with the Federal Government, saying it would attract development and wider benefits to the state.

“We have seen your zonal hospitals, and they can compete with some teaching hospitals outside Rivers State. Your emphasis on primary healthcare is commendable, and the alignment with the Federal Government is perfect,” he said.

Odili urged Rivers residents to support both the state and federal governments to ensure the state maximises development opportunities.

In his remarks, Governor Fubara, represented by his deputy, Ngozi Odu, commended the university for producing quality medical graduates and reaffirmed the state government’s continued support for students.

Also speaking, the Chancellor of PUMS and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, said approvals granted by the National Universities Commission were aimed at strengthening healthcare education nationwide. He commended regulatory bodies for their support and reiterated the institution’s zero-tolerance stance on social vices.

Earlier, Acting Vice-Chancellor of PUMS, Smith Jaja, disclosed that 126 students graduated in the 2025 convocation batch and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to discipline, excellence and national service. (Arise News)

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