Why Nigeria’s high-skill citizens vote with their feet

An increasingly borderless labour market means talent or head-hunters are changing tack to attract the most qualified individuals to either their firms or countries from everywhere around the globe.

Nigeria’s financial institutions, healthcare system, education and major consulting firms are losing high-skilled Nigerians to more advanced economies. This is mostly due to the fact some countries have consciously designed their immigration policies to attract the best talents and the best students from around the world.

Of the individuals voting with their feet, there are two broad categories: those who leave to live and work overseas after having qualified in Nigeria and students who do so because of better incentives in their countries of destination.

For the first category, strong economic position and favourable immigration policies of their destination countries are a major consideration. A country like Canada, for instance, has one of the most positive immigration policies in the world, with the government admitting over 200,000 immigrants each year. Canada also allows dual citizenship, allowing Nigerians to retain their national identity.

Immigrants from Nigeria usually find employment opportunities in Canada’s high-growth sectors through the Federal Skilled Trades Class. This programme allows workers with in-demand trades, such as welders, crane operations, and electricians, to obtain Canadian permanent residency.

For the second category, countries in the Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway) and others such as Belgium, Germany and Canada have tuition-free Masters programmes, which are motivating Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities offered.

Norwegian state universities and university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees to all students, including international students. This applies to all levels, including undergraduate studies, Masters and doctoral programmes. However, students will have to pay a semester fee of NOK 300-600 ($38.67-$77.33) each semester.

Nigeria is hemorrhaging its best minds, hands and hearts to countries consciously positioning to take them in. This is a tragedy because it is human resources which Nigeria could have used to develop its economy and technological capability that are being exported.

STEPHEN ONYEKWELU

The writer can be reached via stephen.onyekwelu@businessdayonline.com or +2348137433034