The International communities are basically concerned with talking about wars, natural disasters, the environment, diplomatic relations and others in international conferences but shying away from a monster that is militating against the growth and development of some countries, especially the developing ones. This monster however is "brain drain".
Brain drain issues to me should be on the front burners of international and regional organisations for adequate celebration and subsequent legislation. For purpose of clarity, brain drain is a situation, whereby highly trained people migrate from their country to another for a better job offer or work condition.
The effect of this can be highly destructive and devastating to the home country of the migrants.
In Nigeria for example, every year a good number of well-trained physicians, engineers, bankers and the rest, move in thousands out of the country for better job offers and working conditions. Specifically, the health sector is the greatest hit, in 2023, the news has it that 42 Nigerian doctors were licensed to practice in the United Kingdom.
No fewer than 162 Nigerian-trained doctors were licensed to practise in the United Kingdom in the last six weeks, The PUNCH has learnt.
This is according to the register of the General Medical Council of the UK. The GMC is a public body that maintains the official register of medical practitioners within the UK.
Our correspondent, who monitored the GMC website in the last 42 days, observed that the number of Nigerian-trained doctors practising in the UK rose from 10,824 to 10,986.
This implies that at least three Nigerian-trained doctors were licensed per day from February 2 to March 15, 2023.
Nigeria has been faced with a worrying brain drain in recent times, with many professionals, including doctors, leaving the country for greener pastures.
It was also observed that Nigeria has the third-highest number of foreign doctors working in the UK after India (31,979) and Pakistan (18,490).source
One of the effects of this on the country is that development is stunted. When the best brains leave a country, it gives room for mediocrity to occupy such positions thereby intensifying foolery and underdevelopment. The growth of a nation rest on the shoulders of the most intelligent people occupying strategic offices. In a situation whereby corruption becomes the order of the day, it becomes practically impossible for a country to progress and compete with others.
While countries with the greatest hit of brain drain must look inwardly and put things in place to address this menace, it is pertinent for the citizens to also know that it is unjustifiable or morally wrong to use the knowledge you acquire in your country to develop another. Building a nation requires patriotism and everyone must be ready to pay the price for it including the wage rate.
Therefore, The International community should make laws that will checkmate incessant brain drains in countries and if possible, sanction those found guilty.
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