The existing literature is replete with studies that have examined the menace of medical brain drain in Nigeria and its effects on the country’s population of over 220 million people who rely on its healthcare system. Despite available statistics indicating that Nigeria significantly falls short of the World Health Organization’s recommended patient-to-healthcare worker ratio of 1:1000, the nation continues to experience an endemic migration of its medical workforce. In response to the adverse consequences of this persistent migration crisis, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare adopted the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration (NPHWM) in 2023. The policy, among other measures, aims to provide “special incentives,” a “return-to-practice” programme, and improved working conditions for healthcare personnel—particularly those who choose to work in underserved and rural areas. This study is therefore premised on the scarcity of literature that examines the impact of the NPHWM on the migration of medical professionals in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates the effectiveness of the NPHWM’s incentive system in curbing the exodus of trained healthcare workers. The study employs the push-pull theory to conceptualize and explain the research problem. A documentary method of data collection was adopted, relying on secondary data sourced from academic publications, official government reports, and media coverage. Data analysis was conducted using the qualitative descriptive method. Findings reveal that the Federal Government’s efforts to stem the migration of healthcare professionals through the NPHWM have yet to yield significant positive outcomes. The study recommends that the government establish a Health Sector Bank in Nigeria to ensure the prompt and consistent payment of increased consolidated salaries and allowances. Additionally, the provision of low-interest loans and grants to healthcare professionals to enable them to establish practices and conduct research within Nigeria is advocated. These measures, if effectively implemented, could accelerate progress toward achieving universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) by 2030.

Keywords: Migration, health sector, health policy, medical professionals, incentive system