Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde has charged the Federal Government, states, and the private sector in the country to create more robust measures and workable plans to tackle the issue of brain drain and ‘Japa’ syndrome among Nigerian youths.
The governor made this known at the just-concluded International Education Conference, ISAF 2024, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, at the weekend.
He stressed the importance of providing a conducive educational environment for young Nigerians to thrive in their pursuit of academic skills.
He added that the continued loss of skilled manpower to foreign countries is inimical to Nigeria’s development.
Makinde, who was represented by the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, noted that though there was nothing wrong with Nigerians seeking foreign education, hence, they must return home to put such acquired skills to use in the development of the country.
The governor highlighted some of his achievements in the education sector, and equally proposed initiatives such as improving infrastructure, investing in education and skills development, and creating job opportunities to retain talents within the country.
He noted that his government had also put in place some strategic measures to open up access to qualitative education and create a conducive learning environment for all, adding that, “The state was ranked 3rd in the 2023 NECO result as a result of his administration’s huge investment in the education sector.”
Speaking on how his bottom-up approach to managing the education sector has paid off, the governor said the state received a positive rating as one of the best in Nigeria in the area of removal of favoritism and nepotism in the process of recruiting teachers into the sector.
The 2-in-1 programme, which had the international education conference and studies fair, was aimed at equipping young Nigerians aspiring to study abroad with the requisite knowledge to guide them through the process and how much acquired academic knowledge can be deployed to benefit the nation upon completion of their studies.
One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion, which centered around the theme of the event tagged: “Access for All.”
The representative of the governor further said, “What we’re saying is that the governor wants all indigene of Oyo State to have unhindered access to qualitative education and that the barriers should be removed. This is why he has embraced ISAF 2024 in Ibadan.
“Governor Makinde does not see anything bad about young Nigerians seeking foreign education, but after acquiring the knowledge they should come back to Nigeria and contribute their quota to the development of the nation. That is the take-home from today’s event,” he added.
The chief host of the programme, and Managing Director of TPSEAL Education, United Kingdom, Lady Tolu Eledan, noted what informed the conference was the desire to change the narrative about international education.
She added that the organisers chose to start with Oyo State as a result of the governor’s vision and achievements in the education sector.
“We’re starting with Oyo State, because this is home for us and we believe in the vision of the governor of the state who is keen and passionate about education as well as removing education barriers and creating access for all to acquire education, ” she added.
Some of the keynote speakers narrated how COVID-19 influenced education advancement through technology and emphasised the need for Nigerians abroad and others desperate to ‘Japa’ to bring back the intellectual assets acquired from overseas to develop the nation.
The speakers include RT Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the pro-chancellor and chairman, University Governing Council, LAUTECH, Professor Deji Omole; Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana, Professor David Norris and the Oyo State Commissioner for Works, Professor Dahud Shangodoyin, Charlotte Meyn Representative of the German Academic Exchange Service and among others.
In his keynote address entitled: “Lifelong Benefits of Study Abroad,” the Executive Adviser on Agribusiness and Director-General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande, narrated how his ‘Japa’ in his early years has aided him in performing well in his chosen career.
He noted, however, that his story was possible because he returned home to put the same acquired education to use, stressing that with the turn of global events, ‘japada’ (return home) should be part of the plans for Nigerians seeking foreign education.
At the International Conference, His Royal Highness, Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande, Professor Timothy Odebode and Dr Victoria Samson were all awarded for their outstanding performance and contribution to the education sector.
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