Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to prioritize their love for the country over financial gain, voicing concern over the escalating trend of mass migration, particularly among skilled professionals.
Akpabio made this call on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, during a Senate session in which a motion was discussed to address the rising emigration of Nigerians.
He emphasized that the growing trend of skilled professionals leaving Nigeria for greener pastures abroad, often referred to as "brain drain," poses significant risks to the nation's development. Akpabio stressed the need for patriotism and collective efforts to address challenges facing the country in order to reduce the outflow of talent.
“The country is losing its expertise. If they acquired those expertise and returned to Nigeria, it would have been better,” Akpabio stated.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s development would be accelerated if those who trained abroad returned to contribute to the country's growth, rather than seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
Akpabio also acknowledged the poor conditions of service that often drive Nigerians to seek greener pastures abroad but insisted that love for one’s country should come first.
“I also think the conditions of service are quite responsible. I believe people should place love for their country above financial gains. That is why many of us choose to remain here,” he said.
The Senate President highlighted the adverse effects of the brain drain, particularly in the health and education sectors, which are among the hardest hit by the emigration of skilled Nigerians.
“The brain drain is a big problem, not just in the educational sector, particularly in the health sector – it is affecting us a lot,” Akpabio remarked.
He pointed out that a significant number of Nigerian health professionals have left for better opportunities in countries like the United States. “The greatest professionals in medicine in the USA, from what I read, some people say we have almost 22,000 health workers in there (US) who are Nigerians, and they are doing extremely well. I have seen that from different reports,” he added.
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