The Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the Nigerian Government, states and the private sectors to develop robust measures and effective plans to combat the issue of brain drain among Nigerian youths.
The Governor also emphasised the need to create a conducive educational environment for young Nigerians to excel in their academic pursuits, highlighting that the ongoing loss of skilled manpower to foreign countries hampers Nigeria’s development.
Governor Makinde stated this, on Friday, during an education conference tagged, the International Study Abroad Fair (ISAF) 2024, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Makinde, represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Adelabu, acknowledged that though there is nothing wrong with Nigerians seeking foreign education, it is imperative that they return home to put such acquired skills to use in the development of the country.
The Governor reeled out some of his achievements in the education sector and proposed initiatives such as improving infrastructure, investing in education and skills development, and creating job opportunities to retain talents within the country.
He noted that his government has also put in place some strategic measures to open up access to qualitative education and created a conducive learning environment for all, stressing the state was ranked 3rd in the 2023 NECO result as a result of his administration’s huge investment in the education sector.
Explaining how his bottom-up approach to managing the education sector has paid off, Governor Makinde said “the state received a positive rating as one of the best in Nigeria in the area of removal of favoritism and nepotism in the process of recruiting teachers into the sector.”
Addressing journalists shortly after his address, the Governor’s representative said: “What we’re saying is that the governor wants all indigenes of Oyo State to have unhindered access to qualitative education and that the barriers should be removed. That is why he is saluting the courage of the organisers of ISAF 2024 for the programme they have brought to Ibadan.”
“Governor Makinde does not see anything bad about young Nigerians seeking foreign education, but after acquiring the knowledge they should come back to Nigeria and contribute their quota to the development of the nation. That is the take home from today’s event,” Prof Adelabu stated.
The Chief Host of the event, Lady Tolu Eledan, who is the Managing Director of TPSEAL Education, United Kingdom, disclosed that what informed the event was the desire to change the narrative about international education.
He said the organisers chose to start with Oyo State as a result of the governor’s vision and achievements in the education sector.
Eledan said: “The take home from today’s event is that we want to change the narrative about international education. We’re starting with Oyo State, because this is home for us and we believe in the vision of the governor of the state who is keen and passionate about education, as well as removing education barriers and creating access for all to acquire education.”
Some of the keynote speakers at the fair included the pro-Chancellor and Chairman, University Governing Council, LAUTECH, Professor Deji Omole; Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana, Professor David Norris and the Oyo State Commissioner for Works, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin.
The speakers narrated how Covid-19 influenced education advancement through technology and emphasised the need for Nigerians abroad and others desperate to leave the country to bring back the intellectual assets acquired from overseas to develop the nation.
In his keynote address entitled: “Lifelong Benefits of Study Abroad,” the Executive Adviser on Agribusiness and Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande, narrated how studying abroad in his early years has aided his good performance in his chosen career.
He noted, however, that it was possible because he returned home to put the same acquired education to use, stressing that with the turn of global events, returning home, which he called ‘exit strategy’, should be part of the plans of Nigerians seeking foreign education.
One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion, which centered around the theme of the event tagged: Accessing Education Beyond Borders; Embracing Global Opportunities.
The ISAF 2024 event, packaged in two parts: International Education Conference and Study Fair, was aimed at equipping young Nigerians aspiring to study abroad with requisite knowledge to guide them through the process. It is how they can deploy such acquired academic knowledge to benefit the nation upon completion of their studies.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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