FROM JAPA TO HOPE: EXPERTS SEEK SOLUTIONS TO NIGERIA’S BRAIN DRAIN

By Stella Obi

An Anambra-born chartered accountant and financial expert, Chief Blakey Okwudili Ijezie, has called for collective efforts by Nigerians to build a better country and address the challenges of human capital flight.

Ijezie made the call at the 18th edition of the Blakey National Tax Conference held in Lagos on Aug.15 with the theme: “From Japa to Hope: Retaining Nigeria’s Human Capital for Sustainable Development.”

Ijezie, founder and Managing Partner of Okwudili Ijezie and Co. and convener of the conference, said national development could not be achieved by government alone, stressing the need for active participation and commitment by citizens.

He said the goal should not be to prevent Nigerians from migrating, but to create a country that offered them compelling reasons to stay and contribute to its development.

According to him, Nigerians desire a country where children from humble backgrounds can access quality education, graduates can secure meaningful employment, entrepreneurs can establish businesses without unnecessary obstacles, and families can plan their futures with confidence.

He also urged young Nigerians to prepare for emerging opportunities by acquiring relevant education and skills and developing the ability to adapt to changing global realities.

Ijezie acknowledged the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that those at home and abroad had important roles to play in building a prosperous nation.

Also speaking, Mrs.Gloria Okwuosa a guest speaker, identified economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure, uncertainty and limited opportunities as some of the factors driving Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad.

Okwuosa noted that migration was not a new phenomenon, as people had historically moved in search of better opportunities.

She, however, urged Nigerians to desist from portraying the country only in negative terms and instead contribute to creating an environment where citizens would willingly choose to live and work.

The conference stressed the need for unity, effective policies and active citizen participation in addressing human capital flight and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria.

Stella Obi is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State

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