Why Nigeria needs to turn brain drain into brain gain — Babcock VC

President/vice chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Ademola Tayo, has urged the Nigerian government to turn the human capital flight phenomenon presently experienced in the country into a gain.

He also charged the government to provide an enabling environment for scholars in the country to thrive and aid nation building, adding that such will deter them from leaving the country in the first instance.

Professor Tayo stated this on the sidelines of the Babcock Alumni Connectivity programme, a sensitisation event for graduating students and undergraduates of the institution on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event with the theme ‘Igniting Connections, Fuelling Success,’ Professor Tayo said though the prevalence of human capital flight is quite unfortunate, he urged those seeking greener pastures to bring back their knowledge and experiences to develop the country.

“It is unfortunate that we are having a capital flight now. Quite a lot of skilled professionals are going out, but we can turn the brain drain to brain gain particularly if we encourage those going out to deplore all the gains and everything that they have learnt there and their experiences and bring such back to help our nation.

“However, the government should also encourage those who are staying behind not to have the interest of going abroad by providing an enabling environment for them.

“For scientists, electricity should be available for them to be able to conduct experiments. Poor electricity, remuneration and so many things lacking are making things very frustrating,” he said.

He further urged the students and graduates of the school to be ready to get engaged and succeed in fields beyond their original courses of study.

He said: “I strongly believe that the university gives you the basic skills, both soft skills and intellectual skills.

“What is done at the undergraduate level is to prepare you sufficiently, to be able to multitask and to be able to venture into many areas. And that’s the beauty of our training here in Babcock University.

“We train holistically such that our students, when they are out of this place, can handle any area of human endeavour because of the all-round education. We usually have hands-on experience in all our courses. And that’s why we have laboratory components that sufficiently prepared them to venture into any area and succeed.”

Guests at the event include GMD/CEO, Irvin Global & Investment Group, Mr. Uzonna Nwangwa; Creator OCB Skin, Miss Beverly Osu, Actress; National President, Babcock University Alumni, Dr  Soji Tayo.