In a startling revelation that underscores Nigeria’s deepening brain drain crisis, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has disclosed that a staggering 85 percent of Nigerian students sent abroad on government scholarships never return to contribute to national development.
The minister made the disclosure in a post shared via Nigerian Stories’ official X handle, expressing grave concern over the alarming trend that continues to deprive the country of its brightest minds.
Dr. Alausa lamented that despite the government’s huge investment in sponsoring students to acquire world-class education in foreign institutions, the vast majority choose to remain abroad, often lured by better opportunities, job security, and improved living conditions.
“This is a national tragedy,” the minister declared. “We are effectively funding the development of other countries while our own educational and professional sectors suffer.”
The revelation has sparked fresh debate about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s scholarship programs, the lack of incentives for returning scholars, and the need for systemic reforms to reverse the trend.
Analysts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to create an enabling environment for returnees — including competitive employment opportunities, research funding, and policy incentives — the country risks losing future generations of talent to foreign nations.
Many Nigerians have reacted on social media with mixed feelings. While some argue that the government must first fix the nation’s dysfunctional systems before expecting graduates to return, others called for more binding agreements that ensure scholarship recipients serve the country for a specified period upon completion of their studies.
As the government continues to push for reforms in the education sector, this shocking revelation has reignited national conversations about patriotism, youth empowerment, and the urgent need to stem the tide of brain drain crippling Nigeria’s development aspirations.
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