When The Star Shines With What The Moon Abandons

President Bola Tinubu’s congratulatory message to six outstanding Nigerians in the diaspora, named among the 400 Presidential Early Career Award recipients for Scientists and Engineers in the United States, highlights the resilience and brilliance of Nigerian talent on the global stage…READ MORE…

The honorees – Azeez Butali, Ijeoma Opara, Oluwatomi Akindele, Eno Ebong, Oluwasanmi Koyejo, and Abidemi Ajiboye – have excelled in their respective fields of science, technology, and engineering, earning global acclaim.

While their achievements are a source of national pride, they also expose a troubling paradox: these exceptional minds flourish abroad due to the lack of opportunities and support systems at home. Their recognition underscores Nigeria’s untapped potential and the systemic barriers that push its brightest talents to seek opportunities elsewhere.

This phenomenon, encapsulated in the EzikeÍba Igbo proverb, “Ìnwa jå nryi, kpakpando wor’ ryie” (When the moon rejects food, the star seizes it), perfectly describes the brain drain afflicting Nigeria. The refusal or inability of the Nigerian system to nurture its own talent has become a gift to nations that welcome and cultivate it.

The term japa, a Yoruba expression meaning “to flee” or “escape,” has come to symbolize this mass exodus of Nigerians seeking stability and opportunity abroad. Its recent inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary reflects the global recognition of a movement fueled by desperation and hope. For these individuals, leaving their homeland is not merely an escape but a search for environments where their skills are valued and rewarded.

This brain drain, while celebrated abroad, represents a profound loss for Nigeria. Critical sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, and engineering suffer from chronic underfunding and systemic dysfunction. As political instability, corruption, and insecurity persist, the country struggles to retain the very human capital it desperately needs for growth and development.

Countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have capitalized on this Nigerian exodus. By investing in innovation, research, and human capital, they reap the benefits of groundbreaking advancements, many of which are powered by Nigerian professionals. The inclusion of six Nigerian scientists and engineers in the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award recipients exemplifies this dynamic, showcasing how other nations benefit from talents Nigeria failed to harness.

The tragedy of this situation lies in its preventability. These individuals could have been catalysts for national progress, driving innovation and addressing critical challenges within Nigeria. Instead, they are celebrated abroad for contributions that could have transformed their homeland.

Nigeria’s leaders must reflect on this persistent brain drain and take urgent steps to reverse the trend. By addressing the root causes – underfunded sectors, insecurity, corruption, and lack of infrastructure – the country can create an environment where talents can thrive and contribute to national development. Until then, the Moon will continue to forfeit its treasures, and the Stars will shine brighter with what could have been Nigeria’s greatest asset: its people.

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