Relocation of 52% of Nigerian professionals abroad: How to check the trend

Of late Nigerian professionals are leaving the country for abroad and thousands are threatening to join the bandwagon. In fact recent survey has it that over 52 per cent of Nigerian professionals in different sectors, especially health sector will be leaving the shores of Nigeria to seek greener pastures abroad. The question is what is the government or powers that be doing to stall this ugly trend?

Some of the reasons adduced by the planners/executors of this exodus are numerous. But basic among these reasons include, but not limited to; Poor remuneration. Professionals and skilled workers feel that they spent a lot of money and time building capacity, acquiring skills and so on and as such deserve to be paid salaries commensurate with their status. But in most cases the reverse is the case. Such professionals have no option than to migrate or ‘japa’ as it is called to other climes. It also doesn’t help that these category of workers are in high demand overseas with mouth-watery salaries dangling before them.

Again, considering the value of the Naira to other major international currencies, the mooters of the emigration saga have no reason not to cash on the opportunities abroad. Insecurity is yet another major factor driving away our professionals, young and old to foreign lands. For over two decades, insurgents in the name of faceless groups, be it Boko Haram, ISWAP, among several others have laid siege on the nation, with thousands of lives wasted.

This development, of course, compels Nigerians who have the opportunity of leaving the country, to do so to where they regard as safer society. Worst hit in this exodus are the medical and educational sectors. It is said that over one hundred doctors, nurses and other medical workers leave the shores of Nigeria quarterly to seek greener pastures abroad.

Poor infrastructural facility is yet another reason why professionals emigrate to other countries of the world in their numbers.

For instance, epileptic power supply in the country, which has forced several artisans and SMEs to close shop is enough to make people ‘japa’ from Nigeria.

There used to be a period in the history Nigeria, when the number of people that used to go to work at night were equal to those that go to work during the day. In fact in the late 70s up to early 80s the number of workers employed by the textile industry was uncountable. But today the story is different.

The reason was not farfetched as power was then regular and stable. But what is happening today is that all the textile companies have shut down and guess what? As a result, all the employees retrenched were emptied into the labour market.

Another very important factor aiding emigration of Nigerian professionals to other countries is poor health facilities. For example, medical tourism has of late taken toll on the economy of the country. More culpable in this area are politicians and senior staff of IOCs, as well as other multi—national companies.

At least since 1999, the country has managed to stabilise the political sector, amidst complaints and dissatisfaction.

It is in this light that we give kudos to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who within the shortest period he has assumed office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria introduced some landmark policies to better the lot of the people.

Right from the inauguration ground, Tinubu announced the removal of the contentious oil subsidy. A decision that successive governments dared not mention. He did not only remove fuel subsidy, he went ahead and explained to Nigerians that the money realised from the subsidy removal will be used to enhance infrastructure and job creation.

Though some unpatriotic Nigerians, who called themselves businessmen used the opportunity to indiscriminately hike prices of their goods and services.

The President has also within this short period introduced educational interest-free loans for students in tertiary institutions. The President has directed the people concerned to work out the modalities for seemless disbursement of the said educational loan. Operators of SMEs in the country are to also to get similar loans to support their businesses.

The President has also pledged to create employment and introduce mass transit transport system across the six geo-political zones in the country to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

Tinubu has also directed the relevant ministries to liaise with the labour unions to work out the framework to wage increase of civil and public servants in the country.

No wonder, the current Federal Government led by Bola Tinubu has been applauded by political watchers for its proactiveness to biting issues of national interests.

The aforementioned proactive actions taken by the Federal Governnment has endeared it to Nigerians who see such decisions as plausible. Pundits have while commending the Tinubu led administration for taken such decisions, canvassed for its sustainability.

Our position therefore is that anything that can provide better life for Nigerian citizens should be encouraged. We therefore think and posit that the current Federal Government has started well and as such deserves the support of all and sundry.