IMPACT OF BRAIN DRAIN AND ACADEMIC MIGRATION ON NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (2019-2024)
Agbor, Olubunmi Sandra, PhD , Godiya Pius Atsiya, PhD and Abdullahi Mohammed Yamma, PhD
Volume 12 Issue 1
Abstract
The persistent migration of Nigerian academics abroad has raised critical concerns about its implications for national development, particularly in the areas of research, education, and human capital retention. The exodus of highly skilled professionals is often driven by unfavourable working conditions, poor remuneration, and insecurity, which undermine Nigeria’s institutional capacity and socio-economic growth. This study aimed to examine the impact of brain drain and academic migration on Nigeria’s national development between 2019 and 2024. The study was anchored on the Rational Choice Theory (RCT) propounded by Gary Becker (1976) and James Coleman (1990), which explains that individuals make migration decisions based on calculated self-interest and perceived benefits. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with data collected from 150 academic staff using structured interviews and questionnaires. The study found that brain drain had significantly reduced the quality of higher education and research output in Nigerian universities. It also revealed that poor remuneration and insecurity were the most prominent factors driving academic migration. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government should improve academic working conditions and research funding to retain skilled professionals. Additionally, policies promoting academic career development and institutional reforms should be introduced to reduce the rate of migration and boost national development. Keywords: Brain drain, academic migration, national development, Nigeria.
Download Paper