End Brain Drain, Increase Budgetary Allocation for Varsities, Senate Urges FG

In a recent Senate session, Nigerian lawmakers voiced serious concerns about the rising brain drain affecting the nation’s universities, attributing the crisis to insufficient funding in the education sector.

Senators called for a boost in annual budget allocations, stating that increased funding is essential for addressing deteriorating infrastructure and improving salaries for university lecturers.

To tackle this growing issue, the Senate instructed relevant committees to collaborate with the Ministries of Finance, Education, Health, and other relevant agencies in developing effective strategies. This initiative followed a motion introduced by Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South) titled “Urgent Need to Address the Challenges of Increasing Cases of Brain Drain in the Nigerian University System.”

In referencing a report from the National Universities Commission (NUC), Senator Ani emphasized that many Nigerian universities are operating with less than half of the required academic staff due to this brain drain. He noted that salaries for Nigerian university lecturers rank among the lowest in the world, with the last salary review taking place over 15 years ago, an issue that does not reflect the current economic conditions of the country.

Ani pointed out that numerous universities in neighboring West African countries are offering more favorable working conditions than those available in Nigeria, which he described as disturbing. “Brain drain has reached an unprecedented level recently, driven by the economic challenges facing the country. This situation is alarming and threatens the future of higher education, especially in critical fields like engineering, medicine, and the sciences, which are vital for our socio-economic development,” he stressed.

Several other senators joined the debate, indicating that the brain drain issue extends beyond universities and significantly impacts vital sectors such as healthcare, where many doctors and nurses are seeking opportunities abroad.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commented, “Brain drain is a significant challenge not just for education, but also for critical sectors like healthcare, where over 22,000 Nigerian health workers are presently in the United States. We are dedicated to improving conditions for university lecturers and other professionals as we strive to address this pressing issue.”