By Suleiman Tajudeen
…continued from last week
CITIZENS COMPASS—Loss of human capital: Departure of skilled workers reduces economic output and growth.
Brain drain: Loss of highly skilled professionals, such as doctors, nurses, engineers, and university lecturers.
Labour shortages: Shortages of qualified workers in key sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology.
Decreased productivity: Reduced economic output and growth due to departure of skilled workers.
Loss of tax revenue: Government loses direct tax contributions and potential economic activity generated by skilled professionals.
Negative signal to investors: Exodus of skilled professionals sends a negative signal to investors about the country’s business environment.
Loss of revenue: Decrease in tax revenue and consumer spending.
Increased costs: Increased costs due to shortage of professionals in key sectors.
Budget deficit: Reduced economic activity contributes to budget deficit.
Prevention, control, and management
Improved governance: Address corruption and ensure accountability.
Employment opportunities: Invest in sectors that generate employment.
Enhanced security: Improve security to encourage investors and reduce migration.
Retain skilled workers: Offer incentives, such as tax breaks, to retain skilled professionals.
Invest in education: Improve the education system to reduce brain drain.
Entrepreneurship: It supports entrepreneurship and job creation.
Develop policies: Develop policies to retain and attract skilled professionals.
Strengthened economy: It strengthens the economy through diversification and investment.
Monitor migration trends: Monitor migration trends to anticipate and respond to challenges.
Invest in education and skill development by the government and other responsible authorities.
Improve the economic conditions of people in the society
Encourage the return of skill workers (i.e. both state and federal government should encourage skill workers to come back to Nigeria through good remuneration).
Strengthening social security (i.e. the security problem in Nigeria should be managed effectively).
By implementing these measures as suggested by this article, Nigeria can reduce the Japa Syndrome and retain its skilled health workers and other professionals that traveled as a result of greener pasture, ultimately improving the country’s healthcare delivery system and other developmental areas.
References
Olumoyo, A. E., and Abiri, O. C. (2023). ‘’Japa’’ Syndrome: Causes, Effects and Solutions for Sustainable National Development.
Samson, T. S. (2023). Mass Migration in Nigeria: Addressing the ‘Japa’ Syndrome.
Dr Suleiman Tajudeen is CEO and Director of clinical psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult,Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos.
+234 803 402 4457
