Alarming! Nigeria loses over 50,000 skilled professionals annually to brain drain – UNDP Report

By Austin Ogwuda

VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Delta (UNIDEL) Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, Prof (Mrs) Stella Chinye Chiemeke says “Nigeria loses over 50,000 skilled professionals annually to emigration, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates.

Chiemeke, the first female Professor of Computer Science in Nigeria made the startling revelation while delivering a keynote address at this year’s Maris Annual Public Lecture on the topic, ‘Flight Of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament’ held at the Unity Hall Government House Asaba, Wednesday.

According to her, “A study by the Development Research and Project Centre reveals that over 5,000 Nigerian doctors migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022 and approximately 8,737 medical professionals with degrees from Nigeria are currently working in the UK.

“The World Health Organisation WHO estimates a doctor-patient ratio in Nigeria is five times worse than recommended highlighting the devastating impact on healthcare.

“The brain drain”, she pointed out, “is not limited to Medicine; the exodus extends to diverse sectors like Engineering, Finance, IT, and academia, each experiencing a steady loss of their brightest”.

She lamented that the hemorrhaging of talents from Nigeria had reached alarming proportion threatening not only the nation’s present but its very future.
She however stated that Nigeria can reverse the ugly trend by addressing internal challenges such as significant investments in critical infrastructure and services, basic needs such as power, education, transport, healthcare, combating corruption and insecurity and other utilities to improve business competitiveness
She therefore suggested that sub-national governments, through their legislatures, would be better poised to tame Nigeria’s brain drain dilemma.

State legislatures, particularly the Delta State House of Assembly, she went on, should pass Laws that promote job creation, enhance working conditions, and provide incentives for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“By creating legislative frameworks that support economic growth, social development and good governance, the House of Assembly can contribute to reversing the trend of brain drain and retaining talents within the country”, she posited.

During the panel session moderated by Dr Kemi Emina, panellists including the State Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Ada-Anioma, Chief Economic Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Dr Barry Pere-Gbe, Special Adviser on Investments Chief Tony Amaechi, Chief Philomena Ededey and Barr. Freddie Toritseju Erelu-Ede, highlighted the pressing challenges posed by the mass exodus of highly skilled professionals from Nigeria, depriving the nation of crucial talent and expertise and made insightful recommendations.

Drawing attention to the gravity of the situation, the speakers underscored the urgent need for proactive measures by state legislatures to take proactive steps in tackling the push and pull factors that influence Nigeria’s flight of talent.

While Dr Barry Gbe saw some gains for the country in talent export through diaspora remittances, Hon Onyemaechi argued that Nigeria’s flawed value system has encouraged talents to leave the country to where they are better appreciated.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Maris Trust Council, Chief Kenneth Olise represented by Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, Mr Olise Ifeajika, commended the convener of the Maris Annual Lecture, Sir Fidelis Egugbo, for creating a platform to discuss national issues and proffer solutions.

In his vote of thanks, Secretary Maris Trust Council, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo said the annual public service lecture was in the 5th series instituted in memory of his late daughter, Stella-Maris Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo to address topical issues of concern to the nation.

*Credit: Flash Point

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