The immediate past National Chairman of the Nigerian lnstitution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMecHE), Funmilade Akingbagbohun, yesterday, said that addressing root causes of ‘japa’ syndrome, such as economic instability, insecurity, food security and corruption, is crucial for long success and taming brain drain in the country.
Akingbagbohun, who stated this in an interview with The Guardian in Lagos, said that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to brain drain but the best approach involves a combination of strategies tailored to the specific context of Nigeria.
She believed that the loss of skilled professionals due to japa syndrome creates a shortage of human capital in crucial sectors like healthcare, education, engineering and technology. This, she said, could weaken the economy and limit development opportunities.
Akingbagbohun noted that skilled professionals contribute significantly to tax revenue, while absence reduces government’s funds for infrastructure, social services, and education, and further hinders development.
“When skilled professionals leave, their knowledge and expertise are lost to the country. This creates a gap that can be difficult to fill, perpetuating the cycle of underdevelopment. Remittance skilled Nigerians, who migrate abroad, send money back home to support their families and boost the national economy.
“These individuals can connect with international networks and institutions, potentially bringing back valuable knowledge and skills to benefit Nigeria,” she stated.
She, therefore, advocated the need for a more stable and prosperous economy with better job opportunities, higher salaries, and improved working conditions to make Nigeria more attractive for skilled professionals to stay.
