Nigerians reverse brain drain

SINCE the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians abroad have new hope and are optimistic in the direction of their country. This has prompted a reverse brain drain.

After many years overseas, many Nigerians are returning to the fatherland with their quality foreign education credentials, work experience and contact sto set up business enterprises. This trend is not peculiar to Nigeria. In a British Broadcasting Corporation article, it was reported that India is witnessing the same trend as tens of thousands of young Indians in Silicon Valley California have packed up and returned to take advantage of the untapped opportunities in various sectors of the economy. This in turn is creating job opportunities for the locals.

Another reason offered for the reverse brain gain is the downturn in the economies of many industrialized countries such as the United States and Britain. This encouraged many Nigerians abroad to look towards home for greener pastures. With excellent foreign education credentials, and skills, Nigerian employers are happy to welcome them to their fold. This is evident in the compensation package offered to foreign trained Nigerians to locally educated Nigerian graduates.

However, in order to keep them, Nigeria has to develop a strategy to retain these talents, provide a conducive environment, including basic amenities such as electricity and water that they are accustomed to abroad. That way, they will view Nigeria as a place for the long term not just a temporary abode.

Despite the reverse brain drain, there will still be Nigerians travelling abroad for quality foreign education and greener pastures.

Taiwo Olalere, & Kehinde Olalere, are co-partners at Olalere Law Office, a Canadian Education and Immigration Law firm. www.CanadianImmigrationLawyer.com

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