The Exodus

Today’s nations rely more on ideas, knowledge, and skills to solve their development issues, and Nigeria is no exception. However, in Nigeria and some other countries, the growing trend in the ‘brain drain’ phenomenon among skilled workforce threatens their development trajectory. For several reasons ranging from the economic and security state of the country to the change of environment, many of Nigeria’s brightest minds have left the country for other parts of the world, particularly the West. According to a UK immigration report, the number of visas granted to Nigerians in the ‘Skilled Worker – Health & Care’ category was 14 per cent (13,609) in 2021. Additionally, official data from Canadian immigration sources indicate that 12,595 Nigerians relocated to Canada alone in 2019. There were 4,000 applications for permanent residency by Nigerians in Canada in 2015. By 2019, the number had climbed to 15,595 – an increase of over 214.9 per cent.

Unfortunately, some of Nigeria’s brain exports may encounter ‘brain waste’, a scenario whereby workers or foreign nationals are frequently engaged to perform tasks for which they are overqualified. For example, in some major cities like New York, Michigan, and Washington, many skilled workers from Nigeria engage in menial jobs. The clear consequence of this situation is that Nigeria is losing out on the highly trained labour that other countries severely undervalue in their workforce. Nevertheless, entry-level positions do not invariably represent the ultimate career objective for skilled workers in Nigeria; rather, they serve as a temporary means of livelihood until they can attain more favourable employment opportunities.

Addressing the issue of brain drain in Nigeria necessitates a nuanced comprehension of why nearly 52 per cent of intellectuals and professionals opt to depart or contemplate doing so. Studies have shown that one of the key drivers of the brain drain is the harsh economic conditions in the country. Escalating living costs coupled with stagnant wages erode the purchasing power of Nigerians, adversely impacting their overall quality of life. Concurrently, social, political, and security pressures compel Nigerians to seek better opportunities abroad.

While the immediate consequences of brain drain may not be readily apparent, its systemic repercussions across diverse sectors are undeniable. Within the academic realm, the mass exodus of seasoned academics from Nigeria’s higher institutions to foreign shores imperils the quality and quantity of staff and the calibre of graduates produced. In “The Nigerian University System in a Recessionary Economy”, Ekong Christopher opines that the future of the next generation of students and the current global market will face severe challenges due to Nigeria’s current state of academia. Economically, the mass exodus of skilled workers contributes to the GDP growth of recipient countries, leaving Nigeria to grapple with the challenge of replacing skilled professionals in an already fragile economy. President Bola Tinubu, on January 15, 2024, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government, in collaboration with sub-nationals, will train more persons to fill the professional gap now conspicuous in health, tech and other sectors. However, this strategy may not be as sustainable as tackling the root causes of the mass migration.

The free movement of highly skilled workers globally, though advantageous in generating diaspora remittances (22 billion dollars in 2021), pales in comparison to Nigeria’s immeasurable loss of investment prospects and developmental opportunities due to the departure of its qualified workforce. In the health sector, a 2018 survey by the Nigerian Health Watch reported that 88 per cent of doctors in Nigeria are considering migrating and that Nigeria is currently experiencing massive migration of its medical professionals to developed nations. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, 33,000 of the 75,000 Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) registered doctors left the country, leaving 42,000 to man all health institutions, with a population of over 200 million. With this, Nigeria’s doctor-patient ratio became 1:3,500, as opposed to the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) standard ratio of one doctor to 600 patients.

In light of the impact of brain drain on Nigeria’s development, urgent measures must be instituted—not to curtail the migration of skilled workers, but to make the country more appealing to migration enthusiasts. Anecdotal accounts from Nigerians in the diaspora hammer on a working system, security and greater economic opportunities as some of the push factors of migrations. Also, there is a focus on acquiring second citizenship to access more global opportunities.

Nigeria can guarantee a working system that will increase citizens’ quality of life by investing in infrastructure such as affordable transport systems across the country, constant electricity, and durable roads. This strategic approach ensures that the country becomes attractive to the workforce both at home and abroad and that the knowledge and experience possessed by skilled workers become catalysts for Nigeria’s development. Additionally, institutions in Nigeria must align their remuneration structures with the prevailing economic conditions, recognising the positive correlation between enhanced compensation and employee performance. A revision of salaries and pay packages will elevate the motivation for Nigerian workers, arguably diminishing the inclination to migrate for economic reasons.

Given that brain drain largely emerges as a by-product of the structural inequalities inherent in Nigeria’s political economy, establishing good governance founded on the rule of law, transparency, integrity, and accountability is imperative. Favourable socio-political and economic conditions must be fostered to stem the tide of brain drain. A politically stable environment is paramount to incentivise the diaspora to return and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. In this context, the federal government must expeditiously address security threats posed by terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry, creating an atmosphere conducive to growth. This tactic will also strengthen the country’s international standing, widening the access to global opportunities for Nigerian citizens.

Multiple factors have contributed to the mass migration of skilled workers from Nigeria, and the negative impact on the country far outweighs the gain. Applying measures to balance the economy, secure lives, and improve the quality of lives can launch Nigeria on the trajectory of rapid and sustainable socio-economic and political growth and development.