By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Nigerian professionals such as Medical doctors, nurses, Engineers , University lectures, Teachers and Information Technology experts mass exodus is no longer a story but a source of concern as governments at all levels are yet to notice the dangers of such action.
Different dispensations in Nigeria lamented the situation just by lip service as proper policies and programmes are not put in place to change the narrative as working conditions and enabling environment for the progress and development of talents are not on the ground.
Salaries for such professionals and the general working class is
very poor especially at the present time that the exchange rate and fuel subsidy removal make life unbearable to Nigerian workers across all the professions.
ICT experts and the brain drain saga
The role played by Information and communication technology experts can not be overemphasized but is critical to the development of all aspects of life
Nigeria as developing nation with more than 220 million population need the expertise of such professionals in its quest for economic,technological,educational,health, infrastructural and human capital advancement
Communication as another key sector that contributes immensely to the country’s Growth Domestic product need the ICT professionals for its accelerated development which will create millions of additional jobs especially among the youth that the national demography shows that their percentage is higher than that of old age citizens.
Available data indicates that in 2022 alone over 2000 Information Technology experts leave Nigeria for other countries particularly USA, Canada ,Europe and Asia for greener pastures .
It also provides over $75.6 billion in investments, contributing a substantial 15 per cent to the nation’s GDP.
Reasons behind the Professionals exodus from Nigeria.
According to a survey conducted by Phillips Consulting firm lack of peaceful environment ,better economic conditions,access to competitive and fairly paid job opportunities and effective leadership are the reasons for the mass exodus of professionals out of Nigeria presently.This was contained in a Talent Management Report,
The report indicated that over half (52%) of Nigerian professionals are considering leaving their current jobs and moving abroad within a year.
The report further said that finance and insurance, professional services, education, healthcare, and IT will be the hardest-hit professions as nearly 50 percent of employees in these fields are considering leaving.
On top destinations and migration reasons for employees according to the statement, employees are resigning or migrating for a mix of issues, some of which are within an organization’s direct control, while others are not.
The reasons for planning to migrate vary, with respondents citing factors such as seeking better-paid jobs, less toxic work cultures, a desire to work from home, and concerns about the country’s economy and insecurity.
More Experts plan to quit their job and move out of Nigeria
According to Phillips Consulting, 88 percent of individuals who plan to quit their jobs within a year are millennials and Generation Z. This demographic shift could lead to a significant loss of skilled workers, which may negatively affect critical industries and the economy. Moreover, this demographic includes young professionals with valuable skills and extensive education, making them highly desirable in the global job market.
The survey report also advised businesses to review their employee value proposition and talent management strategy to succeed in today’s constantly evolving talent management landscape
Jennifer Oyelade is an International recruitment business leader ,EMEA talent acquisition director, employability specialist and author. She said among the reasons Nigerian Professionals are leaving the country is lack of recognition.
The author stated this in one of her write ups published by Punch news paper titled ; Why are talented professionals leaving Nigeria?
“The other day, I saw a photo showing some talented Nigerian professionals who have excelled in their craft, being celebrated for their expertise. However, their careers were not established in Nigeria, they flourished abroad. Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, actor John Boyega, chair of Universal Studio Group, Pearlena Igbokwe; and Space scientist, Maggie Aderin-Pocock these are few of so many Nigerians who are breaking grounds and shattering glass ceilings across the world. Nigerians all over the world in different specialisms and sectors are celebrated and valued for the exposure, and financial gain their craft has brought to the economy of the country where they reside. If you look at any article, or even Wikipedia, you will find that they are addressed by their nationality. In most cases, their ethnic origin is not even at the forefront; Anthony Joshua is addressed as a “British” boxer; John Boyega is addressed as a “British-Nigerian” actor; Maggie Pocock is addressed as a “British” space scientist, and Pearlena Igbokwe whose nationality and ethnicity is not really focused on but her parents moved to America when she was six, so she’s been predominantly exposed to the West.
Nigeria has been watching! They have seen their fellow brothers and sisters rewarded and recognised for their expertise by countries that have embraced them, and as a result, they have taken the bull by the horns and decided to follow suit.” She said
Jennifer stated that over the last five years, we have seen the rise of Nigerians immigrating to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and basically any country that would grant them entry.
Why Nigeria can not accommodate it’s talent
The analyst said the question is that why can Nigeria no longer accommodate it’s talents and why are they running away from their country ?
The International recruitment business leader says Nigeria has not yet grasped the importance of empowering home grown talent and the integral part they play in growing and sustaining the economy.The economy is driven by people ,the fluctuation of price,business trends and overall consumer behavior are determined by the people.So if talented professionals are not valued for their contributions or given room to grow in their own country ,they will take their expertise to other countries who will reward them for the value they bring,and in return they will provide definitive career path to help them excel which is the global trade by barter practice offered to all professionals in the west.This wave of Millennials Z are seeing the history of generation X repeating it self and they are more proactive in craving a sustainable future for themselves,even if it means venturing to the unknown , if Nigeria does not serve them the way a nation should. So, in order not to leave their careers up to fate and become another unemployed statistic, they are taking the bold step to seek for greener pastures abroad.
Foreigners working in Nigeria receive better packages compared to Nigerians working at home
Oyelade added that talented professionals of all ages and demographics are tired of seeing organizations giving hefty compensation and benefits packages to expatriates in foreign currency, while they are forced to overwork (in more cases more than the expatriates) and still be underpaid. In fact, in some organizations, being paid at all is considered a privilege. This in itself is infuriating to the Nigerians who have invested in their education with the objective of being that game-changer who will build, contribute, and ultimately add value to the growth of Nigeria, its economy, and its global perception and reputation as a whole.
So, it’s a slap in the face that the country that they have diligently served from the National Youth Service Corp is not nurturing their growth.
How ever with the situation on the grown which chase away thousands of Nigerian professionals in particular ICT experts that perform significant role in Telecommunication sector very soon if precaution is not taken the sector will suffer setback as other sectors like Heath and education were Medical Doctors and University Teachers are moving out of the country on regular basis
Federal and state governments should consider providing all the necessary support and genuine policies and legislation by the legislative arms to retain the human capital of the largest black country which is the bedrock of meaningful development.
Neglecting such will create more development vacuum in the country which lacks stable economic policies due to disregard and disrespect of talents by leaders at all levels .
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