Japa: Exodus Of Educated, Skilled Nigerians Depriving Nigeria Of Human Capital — Rep

Japa: Exodus Of Educated, Skilled Nigerians Depriving Nigeria Of Human Capital — Rep

Jonathan Ukodhiko, a member of the House of Representatives, highlighted the concerning trend of highly educated and skilled Nigerians leaving the country, contributing to the brain drain phenomenon and depriving Nigeria of valuable human capital……READ ALSO Yemi Alade Reacts To Reports Of Being Sexually Harassed, Labels Them ‘Stupidity At Its Peak’

Speaking at the 2024 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture in Government House, Asaba, Ukodhiko expressed dismay over the increasing migration of talented individuals from Nigeria to seek better opportunities abroad. He attributed this trend to economic challenges and the lack of adequate infrastructure for productive activities, such as power supply.

As an oil and gas professional, Ukodhiko acknowledged his own efforts in providing jobs within Nigeria’s energy sector. However, he emphasized that the mass departure of skilled professionals, often termed as the ‘japa syndrome,’ is creating significant gaps across various sectors of the economy.

Factors fueling this phenomenon include economic hardships, job scarcity, inadequate power supply, inflation, and unstable exchange rates. The departure of highly educated and skilled individuals not only robs Nigeria of its human capital but also worsens the brain drain situation.

Prof. Stella Chiemeke, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delta Agbor, echoed these concerns, citing estimates from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicating that Nigeria loses over 50,000 skilled professionals annually to emigration. This brain drain extends across various fields, including medicine, engineering, finance, IT, and academia, resulting in a steady loss of the country’s brightest talents.

The exodus of skilled professionals represents a significant loss for Nigeria’s development and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to retain talent, address economic challenges, and create conducive environments for growth and opportunity within the country.

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