News

Saudi Arabia Doctors Recruitment: Nigerian Medical Practitioners Seek Employment Abroad

With all the challenges bedeviling medical practice in Nigeria, the Saudi Arabia doctors recruitment exercise may not have come at a better time.

It is a known fact that medical doctors in Nigeria under the umbrella of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over the doctors’ strike action which has been ongoing since August 1, 2021.

Since then, doctors have refused to go back to work unless the Federal Government implements the agreement they had in place when they (NARD) called off their initial strike action that was carried out in April 2021.

While the matter is being decided by the court, respite came in form of an opportunity to work abroad and the Nigerian medical doctors have jumped at it.

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health has come to Nigeria to take qualified Nigerian doctors under their employ. The recruitment exercise which began on Sunday, August 22, 2012, was organized by Successlink Consult in Ikeja, Lagos.

For a fee of N10,000, each applicant tenders his documents which includes their medical certificates and means of identification, among other requirements, after which they will sit before a group of Saudi Arabian personnel to answer some questions.

Saudi Arabia Doctors Recruitment in Abuja

According to the reports by TheCable, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health is keen to employ consultants and specialists in all medical fields, except psychiatrists.

A doctor who participated in the interview described it as the “shortest interview of my life”. He went on to explain:

“I showed them my original documents before going in and also presented the duplicates which they took to the interviewers. After making the payment, I was taken inside for the interview. The interview lasted like one minute, I think it’s the shortest interview of my life. I have been hearing about such recruitments for a while but I have never applied. This is my first time.”

While it is not illegal to seek a better life and also better working conditions, Nigeria may soon face a shortage of medical personnel with the way medicinal practitioners flee the country in search of greener pastures.

With the population of the country as it is, the number of doctors available in the country does not tally with the number of people in it.

According to 2013 statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria is among the countries with a very poor doctor-to-patient ratio.

One would begin to wonder where does that leaves Nigerians considering that another stats by Africa Check based on research carried out in 2018, reveals that at least 12 doctors leave Nigeria for the UK every week.

News

Senator Natasha confirms Sallah visit to Kogi constituents

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her commitment to visiting her Kogi Central constituency for the Sallah celebration, dismissing rumors that she had canceled the trip. Her media team released a statement early Tuesday, April 1, confirming that the visit would proceed despite the Kogi State Government’s recent ban on rallies and public gatherings due to security concerns.

“We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned. Despite rumors circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit,” the statement read.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, encouraged her supporters to join her in celebrating Eid-el-Fitr, emphasising her commitment to engaging with her community.

“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation,” the statement continued.

“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.”
Her insistence on proceeding with the visit comes just hours after the Kogi State Government announced a ban on public gatherings, citing intelligence reports warning of potential security threats.

In a statement on Monday, March 31, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, justified the ban, stating that intelligence reports suggested that some individuals were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central

The state government also prohibited fishing and other activities after two people were reportedly killed in Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette in Kogi West.

Despite these restrictions, Akpoti-Uduaghan assured her constituents that all necessary arrangements had been made for a peaceful and successful celebration and invited the community to join her for the festive occasion.

Entertainment

Bobrisky allegedly arrested by immigration officials upon return to Nigeria

Controversial Nigerian socialite Bobrisky has announced that he was arrested by immigration officials shortly after returning to Nigeria, just five months after leaving the country for his “sanity and health.”
Bobrisky took to Instagram on April 1, 2025, stressing that he was arrested without being told the reason.

Guys I have just been arrested by immigrant in Nigeria, I don’t know what I did o.

The crossdresser has disclosed that this was an April Fools’ prank, and he was not arrested.

Bobrisky’s prank comes months after he publicly disclosed that he had left Nigeria to focus on his well-being. In a previous interview, he shared that constant online backlash and personal struggles had taken a toll on his mental and physical health, prompting him to relocate.

“Yes, I’m here to confirm I’m out of Nigeria temporarily… I need to attend to my sanity and my health. Few Nigeria security agencies try everything to frustrate me but naaa i gat God. Imagine !!! buying business class ticket 3 times. only 1 was successful. @kIm I hope you guys refund me the two i didn’t use. I know is not ur fault but it’s fine,” he wrote in November 2024.

The crossdresser remains outside the country at this time.

Entertainment

Omah Lay announces release date for his second album ‘Clarity of Mind’

Award-winning Afrobeats superstar Omah Lay is finally set to release his keenly awaited sophomore album titled ‘Clarity of Mind’.

The revelation was made via the Instagram handle of label Keyqaad who announced May 16, 2025, as the release date for the album which will be a follow-up to his acclaimed debut ‘Boy Alone’.

Ahead of his next album release, the singer has released the single ‘Holy Ghost’ which was among the most streamed songs on Apple Music Nigeria in 2024.

He also dropped the single ‘Moving’ in 2024 after making guest appearances on songs with rising star and fellow label mate Kaestyle and celebrated musician and DJ Spinall.

Omah Lay’s upcoming album comes after he claimed he had to scrap an album because the sound was ripped off by an artist he loved and trusted.

In the interview on the Zang Sang Show, Omah Lay revealed that he was creating a new sound which he shared with a certain artist who then proceeded to put out an album with the new sound.

Omah Lay added that he decided to re-record a new album which he boasts will be the greatest in the history of Afrobeats.

Since impacting the mainstream with his EP ‘Get Layd’ in 2020, the singer has become one of the most acclaimed Nigerian musicians.

After winning the Headies Next Rated in 2021, Omah Lay has lived up to expectations with a steady release of hit singles that shows both his flowery writing, soulful music, and impressive genre fusion.

With his upcoming album, the singer will be aiming to consolidate his place as one of the standout artists of the new generation of Afrobeats superstars.