The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the federal government of Nigeria to address the increasing migration challenges facing Nigeria, stating that it may diminish the country’s appeal to foreign direct investments.
In the Charles Mbanefo 1st Memorial Lecture of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Abuja Branch, in Abuja, titled “Rising emigration of professionals and impact on Nigeria’s development: A case study of Engineers,” president of the society, Engr Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, made this statement yesterday.
The NSE president, represented by deputy president, Engr. Margret Aina Oguntala, affirmed that evidence has revealed that many young and elderly Nigerians are determined to leave the country due to their loss of hope in finding opportunities to achieve their life aspirations.
He stated, “I am pleased and delighted to address you on this annual occasion that honors our extraordinary leader, father, mentor, friend, a Fellow and Past President of the distinguished Nigerian Society of Engineers, Late Engr. Charles Mbanefo.
“Since the approval of the Abuja Branch by the NSE Council in 1985, The Branch has consistently fulfilled its role as the Mother Branch to all branches of NSE in the FCT, proudly branding itself as ‘the Unity Branch’.
“Today’s lecture has deviated from our usual technical discussions and is now addressing issues regarding us as citizens of our beloved Nation, Nigeria: Rising Emigration of Professionals and Impact on Nigerian’s Development, A Case Study of Engineers.
“You will agree with me that this has become a recent trend called ‘Japa’. Many, if not all of our young people, even families and adults, want to leave the country in search of better opportunities, and Engineers are not exempt from this trend.
“In recent times, Nigeria has witnessed a significant surge in the number of trained skilled workers migrating to other countries, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Many of the emigrants are graduates who were educated in Nigeria’s highly-subsidized universities. These Nigerian graduates take with them years of training and expertise to foreign nations.
“These exports of human capital have raised concerns about the resulting deprivation in many of Nigeria’s struggling sectors, which consequently impacts our economic development, leading to reduced productivity and a complete absence of skilled workers in several sectors.
“To mitigate the negative effects of emigration, it is crucial to ensure the creation of a safe and livable environment while also improving wages and employment conditions for personnel. However, when viewed from a different perspective, allowing our professionals to gain more knowledge abroad for long-term benefits is advantageous and can boost our economy.
“When the government and other stakeholders foster an enabling environment, these professionals will return and make a positive impact on the economy. I see this in the commendable intentions of COREN regarding the Washington Accord.”
He further emphasized the significance of the Branch aligning with the core objectives of this administration, especially regarding the professional development and welfare of its members.
“You are also encouraged to undertake community projects and make an impact in your resident community through mentoring young Engineers.
“I must commend NSE Abuja Branch for the admirable programs and community projects carried out recently – well done. All these are prerequisites for your participation in the Branch Group Dynamics competition, which I encourage you to win,” he concluded.
In a similar vein, former UN special Rapporteur on Trafficking in persons, Emeritus, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, stated that Nigeria has experienced a significant surge in the number of trained skilled workers migrating to other countries, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Ezeilo mentioned that the number of first-time asylum seekers from Nigeria to Europe reached its peak in 2016, with almost 40,000 Nigerians arriving in Italian shores, before declining in late-2017. Less than 1 percent of Nigeria’s population consists of international migrants, a much lower proportion compared to other countries in the same category.
“Indeed, the United Nations 2020 International Migration Report demonstrates that Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa and the foremost in the West African sub-region when it comes to population emigrating to other countries for better opportunities.”
“Over the past five decades, the impact of migration on development in migrant-sending communities and countries has been a subject of continuous and sometimes heated debates – opposing perspectives from migration optimists and ‘migration pessimists.”