Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25th Nigerian election, has expressed his approval of the increasing trend of young Nigerians and professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. He believes that this “brain drain” phenomenon is actually beneficial for the country.
Obi’s statement came in support of remarks made by Bill Gates, the American billionaire, during his recent visit to Nigeria. Gates had commented that the “Japa” syndrome, referring to the surge of Nigerians leaving the country in search of greener pastures, is advantageous for Nigeria.
Taking to his personal Twitter account, Obi shared his agreement with Gates’ perspective on the matter. He emphasized that the knowledge and experience gained by Nigerians in the diaspora will play a vital role in the reconstruction of a new Nigeria.
“I have read and agree with Bill Gates’ recent comment on the ‘Japa’ syndrome, where he stated that the recent surge of Nigerian professionals leaving the country for greener pastures is good and healthy for our country,” Obi tweeted.
The former Governor of Anambra State has long advocated for this viewpoint, consistently maintaining it throughout his presidential campaign. During his tours in Canada, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries, Obi emphasized that Nigeria’s brain drain today will ultimately translate into brain gain in the future. He drew parallels with countries like China, India, and Ireland, where the contributions of their diaspora populations have been instrumental in national development.
“For years now, and throughout my campaign in the last Presidential election, I have always preached and maintained this same position on the ‘Japa’ wave. Nigerians leaving the country may appear to be a loss today, but when we start doing the right things and take the governance of our nation more seriously, the knowledge and resources from them will be critical in the building of the New Nigeria, just as it has happened in China, India, Ireland, and other developing countries,” Peter Obi expressed.
The former governor also highlighted the success of India in the tech industry, attributing it partly to the country’s ability to tap into the knowledge and resources of Indians in the diaspora. He noted that India now boasts some of the world’s top engineers and computer scientists, and many global tech companies are led by CEOs of Indian origin.
However, Obi acknowledged that Nigerians in the diaspora will only return with their global training, skills, and resources if the country prioritizes investment in education, healthcare, and support for small businesses. He stressed the importance of rebuilding Nigeria and creating an environment that encourages and enables the return of talented individuals who can contribute to national growth.
As the debate surrounding the “brain drain” phenomenon continues, Peter Obi’s perspective offers a nuanced understanding of its potential benefits for Nigeria. With his emphasis on future gains and the need for strategic investments, Obi presents a vision for harnessing the diaspora’s potential and rebuilding a stronger Nigeria.
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