30% of Lagos Civil Servants Sent Abroad for Training Refuse to Return – Lagos Govt Raises Alarm Over Japa Syndrome

 

The Lagos State Government has made a shocking revelation that is sparking serious conversations about Nigeria’s brain drain crisis. According to recent statements made by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, a significant number of civil servants who were sent abroad for government-sponsored training programs have failed to return to the country.

Speaking at a press briefing held on Wednesday, May 14, to commemorate the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, Ayantayo did not hold back on the matter. He explained that although the state has invested heavily in the training and development of its workforce, some civil servants are taking advantage of these opportunities to relocate permanently outside the country.

According to him, 30 percent of those sent overseas for training have refused to return to Nigeria. “While 70% returned, 30% failed to come back,” Ayantayo told journalists during the media briefing. This trend is part of what has become popularly known as the ‘Japa syndrome’ — a term widely used in Nigeria to describe the growing wave of citizens, especially young professionals, leaving the country in search of greener pastures abroad.

The government’s original intention behind these international training programs was to build a more effective and modern civil service by exposing staff to global best practices. However, the increasing cases of civil servants using such opportunities as an escape route from Nigeria are now threatening that vision.

“This is one of the serious challenges we are facing,” Ayantayo noted, pointing out that the commitment of the Lagos State government to workforce development remains strong despite the challenges.

Between May 2022 and December 2024, the state government organized an impressive number of training programs targeted at improving the performance and capacity of its staff. “A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions,” he disclosed. “Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organised which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance.”

The Commissioner emphasized that these training programs were carefully designed to address different aspects of government operations and to equip civil servants with the tools needed to serve the public better.

In addition to the international training efforts, Ayantayo also revealed that the Lagos State Government has been supporting further education for civil servants. Over the past three years, about 8,000 civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been granted study leave to pursue higher qualifications and improve their skill sets.

While this level of investment in human capital is commendable, the issue of talent loss through the 'Japa' movement is a growing concern. The Lagos State Government now faces a difficult situation: how to continue building a skilled, globally exposed civil service without inadvertently losing top talent to foreign countries.

The Commissioner did not outline specific measures the government plans to take to prevent further occurrences, but the statistics alone are a wake-up call. It reflects a larger national issue—many Nigerians, even those in stable government jobs, are actively seeking to leave the country, often permanently.

This latest revelation is not just about numbers. It speaks volumes about the level of dissatisfaction and the desire for a better life that continues to drive professionals away from Nigeria. The challenge for the Lagos State Government — and indeed, for the country as a whole — is how to create an environment that makes its best minds want to stay.