Senate President Godswill Akpabio urges Nigerians to prioritize love for their country over financial gain amid the "japa" trend. He highlights the negative impact of mass immigration on sectors like healthcare and education, calling for improved conditions to retain skilled professionals in Nigeria for national development.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to prioritize their love for the country over financial incentives, particularly amid the ongoing trend of mass immigration known as "japa."
Speaking during a session in the Senate, Akpabio expressed concerns about the country's brain drain, which he believes is leading to a significant loss of expertise, especially in crucial sectors such as healthcare and education.
Akpabio emphasized the detrimental effects of this migration, stating that many skilled professionals are leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad. He highlighted that the absence of these experts is felt profoundly in the health sector, where many Nigerians have established successful careers overseas. “The brain drain is a big problem,” he said, referencing reports that indicate around 22,000 Nigerian health workers are currently practicing in the United States.
He also pointed out that educational institutions are struggling with low staff retention, leading to inadequate learning environments for students. “What then are you teaching our children? It’s like a computer; garbage in and garbage out,” he remarked, stressing the need for a competent workforce to nurture future generations.
To combat this issue, Akpabio assured that the National Assembly would strive to improve the conditions of service for educators and healthcare professionals, encouraging them to remain in Nigeria and contribute to the nation's development.
His remarks come as part of ongoing discussions about the need to create an environment conducive to retaining skilled workers in the country.
