NIGERIA BRAIN DRAIN: Experts Identify Causes and Solutions at Maris Lecture
ASABA/Nigeria: At the 2024 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, the Vice Chancellor of University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, and other experts addressed the causes and solutions to the flight of talents from Nigeria.
Ukodhiko, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the House Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, highlighted economic hardship, lack of jobs, power unavailability, inflation, and exchange rate fluctuations as key drivers of talent flight.
The lecture’s theme, ‘Flight of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament,’ underscores the detrimental impact of this phenomenon on the country’s economic development.
Represented by Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, Ukodhiko commended the choice of topic and urged stakeholders to reverse the trend. He expressed concern over the ‘japa syndrome,’ where skilled professionals leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad, creating voids in various sectors.
Prof. Stella Chiemeke, Vice-Chancellor of University of Delta, Agbor, in her keynote address, noted that Nigeria loses over 50,000 skilled professionals annually to emigration, citing a UNDP estimate. She highlighted the devastating impact on healthcare, with a doctor-patient ratio five times worse than recommended, and emphasized the brain drain’s spread across sectors like engineering, finance, IT, and academia.
To reverse this trend, Prof. Chiemeke called for significant investments in critical infrastructure, services, education, healthcare, and combating corruption and insecurity. She stressed the need to improve business competitiveness and retain talents.
Discussants, including Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Ada-Anioma, Dr. Barry Pere-Gbe, Chief Tony Amaechi, Chief Philomena Ededey Ugheminaye, and Freddie Toritseju Erulu-Ede, offered insights and recommendations. Dr. Gbe highlighted gains from diaspora remittances, while Hon. Ada-Anioma attributed talent flight to Nigeria’s flawed value system. Dr. Amaechi identified poor leadership and systemic failures, calling for attitudinal changes.
Chairman of the Maris Trust Council, Chief Kenneth Olise, represented by Mr Olisa Ifejika, former Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, commended the lecture’s tradition of addressing societal challenges and thanked participants for their commitment. He praised Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for supporting the lecture and making Delta State conducive for such discussions.
The event, graced by Lady Rosaline Amioku as Mother of the Day and Rev. Fr. John Konyeke as Father of the Day, honors the memory of Comrade Fidelis Egugbo’s late daughter, recognizing her contribution to public service.
