MIGRATION, BRAIN DRAIN AND ATTRITION: BANE OF NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENTAL STRIDES

Abstract

In developing countries of Africa, unfavourable conditions have threatened citizens’ well-being. These conditions include wars, political instability, unemployment, poor pay system, hostile school climate, hunger and disease, and religious upheaval, arising mainly from religious and political bigotry. These conditions have forced the productive segment of the population to migrate to other professions, countries and regions of the world, where their knowledge and skills can be utilized and their worth appreciated. This migration has resulted in high teacher attrition and brain drain. The effect of all this is grave for a developing country like Nigeria. The paper identifies that brain drain increases the technological gap between developed and developing nations. It leads to the reduction in quality of skilled manpower, a retardation in socio-economic and technological growth and development. Again, the exodus of academics from universities makes the process of teaching, research, publication and knowledge development irrelevant to the challenges of the global market. Teacher attrition leads to weakening of morale and a decline in pupils’ achievement, as well as a drop in educational standards. Attrition is costly for government as it forces government to spend huge sums of money to conduct interviews and employ new teachers to fill vacant positions. To deal with brain drain and teacher attrition, the paper recommends, among others, an upward review of the pay package for academics and professionals, provision of conducive working environment, and an intensification, with vigour, commitment and sincerity, of the fight against corruption in the public sector.