Hon Abike Dabiri- 2 Hard Truths About Brain Drain and How Nigerians Can Turn It Around

2 Hard Truths About Brain Drain and How Nigerians Can Turn It Around – Hon Abike Dabiri

There is a saying that “there’s no place like home,” and this was reiterated by the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a Ramadan lecture on “The Intricacies of Japa Syndrome” organised by No Dull Moment in Islam. 

In her lecture, using the Prophet as a reference, she talked about how the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) returned to rebuild his homeland after migrating to Madinah from Makkah for a better life. She stated that while it’s true that migration is a fundamental human right and has been happening from time immemorial, we need to work together to ensure it’s not one where there’s abandonment of your roots and where you belong but one of impact, good impact. 

Hon Abike also talked about how many Nigerians abroad are trendsetters and pacesetters with about 70% of black doctors being Nigerian and so many more other Nigerians making waves in other sectors like sports, business, entertainment, technology and so much more. 

She also talked about the immense contributions Nigerians in the diaspora make to the national development of over $90 billion annually which is one of the highest in Africa and how that should push us to look at things differently, instead of brain drain, it should be brain circulation where to continue to contribute to the national development Nigerians in the diaspora gain the knowledge, networks and skills to help achieve this feat.

Nigerians are known to excel quite wonderfully when they leave the country. We are known to be ambitious, dogged and to be the best in our chosen fields. I can only imagine how much we would be able to achieve if we had a conducive country.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Hon Abike?