By: Tunji Okunlola
The appointment of Nigeria’s first indigenously trained female neurosurgeon, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim, as Medical Director and paediatrician at a children’s clinic in the United States has reignited debate over the country’s worsening medical brain drain, with many Nigerians describing her career move as another symptom of the challenges facing the nation’s healthcare sector.
Checks show that Aliu-Ibrahim currently serves as Medical Director at Freeman Children’s Clinic, a facility under Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri. Her profile on the health system’s website identifies her as a paediatrician at the clinic located on McIntosh Circle in Joplin.
News of her appointment has attracted widespread reactions on social media, where many Nigerians expressed concern over the continued migration of highly skilled medical professionals.
Reacting on X, medical doctor Daniel Popoola said the development underscored the severity of Nigeria’s healthcare crisis.
“For a senior consultant to go back to start residency over again is like you with your master’s degree going back to Primary Five to start from there again. Nigeria’s healthcare is in big trouble, yet no one seems to care.”
Another X user, @oghenemaro_1, argued that the development reflected the country’s loss after investing in the education of highly skilled professionals.
“This is very selfish of her. She enjoyed the subsidized education here then left.”
Offering a different perspective, Dr. Salman Yusuf Bolaji, who said he worked with Aliu-Ibrahim at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), described her as one of Nigeria’s finest neurosurgeons.
“She was a neurosurgeon at UITH and was a brilliant woman. She was the first female neurosurgeon in West Africa too and has only female siblings, all who are medical doctors. When I heard she left for the US as a pediatrics resident, my jaw dropped.”
Similarly, another doctor identified as Dr. Kolapo said her decision reflected the difficult realities confronting many Nigerian medical specialists.
“Must be Dr Aliu. Her sister (a plastic surgeon) was my consultant during house job. For a consultant neurosurgeon to start residency over again just to leave this country is astonishing. Nigerians don’t know what kind of trouble they’re in.”
Another user, @skjunior_001, suggested that Aliu-Ibrahim could have continued practising neurosurgery in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Qatar.
A pioneering career
Aliu-Ibrahim obtained her medical degree from the University of Ilorin before completing her neurosurgery residency at the National Hospital, Abuja. She later undertook a paediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, after completing her specialist training in Nigeria.
In 2014, she made history as Nigeria’s first female neurosurgeon and the first woman to complete neurosurgery training entirely within the country. She also became the first indigenously trained female neurosurgeon in West Africa.
In a 2025 interview with Joplin Business Outlook, she said she viewed those milestones as an opportunity to inspire more girls to pursue careers traditionally dominated by men.
“I definitely feel proud about these achievements. I see it as an opportunity to be a role model for young girls who have high dreams, letting them know that they can aspire to any career they want, even those considered male dominated.”
During her time at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, she received several honours, including recognition from the Medical Women Association of Nigeria in 2015 for breaking barriers in medicine.
She also spoke about mentoring aspiring neurosurgeons across the country.
“Medical students, both males and females, from all over Nigeria, have sought me out for mentoring. They tell me about their dreams of becoming neurosurgeons and how I have motivated them.”
Why she changed specialties
Explaining her move to the United States, Aliu-Ibrahim said she sought greater opportunities for professional development after returning to Nigeria following her fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital.
“I returned to Nigeria after my training, continuing to work as an attending neurosurgeon. However, after some time, I wanted better opportunities for professional growth.”
She revealed that although she initially intended to continue practising neurosurgery in the United States, she was unable to secure a neurosurgery residency position and ultimately transitioned into paediatrics.
“I decided to move to the U.S. While I initially set out to practice neurosurgery in the U.S., I did not match into a neurosurgery residency. So, I decided to go for paediatrics, which is a field I also love.”
She subsequently completed her paediatric residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch before joining Freeman Health System.
According to her, visa requirements also influenced where she eventually settled.
“After my pediatric residency training, I needed to find a job in an area designated medically underserved due to my visa type. Joplin, Missouri, fits that description, and that is how I found my way to Freeman Health System. This is my home now.”
Now based in Missouri with her husband and three sons, Aliu-Ibrahim described Freeman Health System as an organisation built on collaboration and teamwork.
“I don’t think I could have chosen a better first job as a pediatrician. I love the sense of camaraderie that exists in the workplace here at Freeman. Even though I have only been here for a short time, I really enjoy being part of the Freeman family. To me, Freeman Health System means teamwork. No one is an island. We are all working together for the same goal of getting the best outcomes for our patients.”
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