A Professor of Political Science at the University of Lagos, Olatunde Babawale, has stressed the need for government at all levels in the country to allocate more funds to education, stating that the move would enhance the socio-economic development of the country and reduce incidences of emigration of its citizens to other countries.
Babawale stated this in a lecture delivered to mark the 60th anniversary of the former Adeyemi College of Education (now Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo) which was held in the institution.
The professor’s lecture dwelt on “Reflections on the ‘Japa’ Syndrome and the Nigerian Educational System.” The scholar who currently holds the position of provost, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), an arm of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), described “japa” as a form of migration, which is not restricted to Nigeria but occurs globally.
He expressed concerns over what he described as the negative effects the japa syndrome has had on the country, especially in the area of brain drain, which he said led the country to experience “haemorrhage” in terms of depletion of the country’s skilled manpower and talented individuals whose presence he said, could have helped the country in “achieving its mission as leader of Africa.”
Prof Babatunde decried the situation, adding that between 2016 and 2018, “9,000 medical doctors moved out of Nigeria to the United States of America” and the resultant effect is that fewer doctors are left to treat large numbers of people.
He explained that the situation is further compounded as a survey carried out in the country has indicated that 73 percent of Nigerians, and 89 percent of its students, have indicated intentions to leave the country.
The scholar urged government to pay more attention to the development of the country’s education sector by tackling the problem of inadequate infrastructure, curriculum deficiency, shortage of qualified teachers, high school fees (particularly in private schools) as well as unconducive teaching and learning environment and disconnection existing between educational qualifications and access to employment opportunities.
