Doctor Shortage Deepens in Northern Nigeria as One Doctor Attends to Over 43,000 Patients — Report

Northern Nigeria is facing a deepening healthcare crisis as some states report a ratio of one medical doctor to over 43,000 patients, according to the SBM Health Preparedness Index 2025.

The report, which assessed the capacity of Nigeria’s 36 states to respond to health emergencies and deliver quality healthcare, highlights what it calls a “crippling imbalance” in the country’s medical workforce distribution.

“Northern states like Bauchi, Zamfara, and Kebbi face a crippling shortage, with a single doctor responsible for over 43,000 patients,” the report stated.
“This extreme disparity underscores the urgent need for strategies to retain and redistribute Nigeria’s medical professionals.”

States Under Strain

According to the report, Bauchi State tops the list with one doctor serving 54,249 patients, followed by Zamfara (49,266) and Jigawa (48,466). Other northern states also show alarming ratios, including Kebbi (43,807), Borno (38,672), and Adamawa (36,622).

Top 10 States With the Highest Patient-to-Doctor Ratios:

1.     Bauchi — 54,249

2.     Zamfara — 49,266

3.     Jigawa — 48,466

4.     Kebbi — 43,807

5.     Borno — 38,672

6.     Adamawa — 36,622

7.     Yobe — 36,253

8.     Gombe — 34,503

9.     Sokoto — 31,769

10. Benue — 31,546

In contrast, southern states show significantly better doctor-to-patient ratios, reflecting more developed healthcare systems and better retention of medical talent.

Top 10 States With the Lowest Patient-to-Doctor Ratios:

1.     Enugu — 299

2.     Lagos — 2,136

3.     Edo — 3,111

4.     Osun — 3,146

5.     Rivers — 3,298

6.     Ogun — 3,739

7.     Oyo — 3,764

8.     Delta — 4,347

9.     Ondo — 5,037

10. Anambra — 5,277

Brain Drain and Systemic Pressure

Experts cited in the report warn that mass emigration of medical personnel continues to erode the country’s healthcare capacity, particularly in rural areas.

“Nigeria is effectively subsidizing the training of doctors who end up working in wealthier nations,” the report noted, adding that the loss of skilled personnel poses risks to both rural and urban health systems.

Unless urgent reforms are implemented — including competitive pay, improved infrastructure, and enhanced security — the country risks further depletion of its already thin medical workforce.

“The ultimate consequence is a healthcare system unable to protect citizens’ well-being,” the report warned.

Health Spending Disparities

The SBM Index also revealed wide disparities in health funding across states.

Lagos State leads in total nominal allocation, dedicating ?221 billion to the health sector. In relative terms, Kaduna (16.1%), Kano (15.2%), and Bauchi (15.1%) devote the highest shares of their state budgets to healthcare.

Conversely, Akwa Ibom (4.3%), Bayelsa (4.1%), and Imo (3.5%) rank lowest, spending the least despite exposure to health and environmental challenges.

When measured per capita, Abia (?22,926) and Ogun (?21,051) lead in health spending, while Imo (?3,950) and Adamawa (?4,271) trail behind — a reflection of limited access to quality medical services in those regions.