During a recent session, the Senate urged the Federal Government to boost funding for federal universities in the upcoming budget to combat the issue of brain drain affecting Nigerian universities.
The Senate also tasked its relevant committees to work with various ministries and agencies like Finance, Education, and Health to devise plans to address the deteriorating infrastructure and enhance the salaries of lecturers.
These decisions were made following a motion presented by a senator, highlighting the pressing need to tackle the rising cases of brain drain in Nigerian universities.
The motion raised concerns about the understaffing in Nigerian universities as reported by the National Universities Commission, attributing it to brain drain.
The motion also pointed out the stagnant remuneration of Nigerian lecturers, which has not been updated for over 15 years, making it one of the lowest globally and no longer reflective of the country’s economic situation.
The senator emphasized that neighboring West African countries offered better working conditions for academics, exacerbating the brain drain issue in Nigeria.
The senator highlighted the critical impact of brain drain on key sectors like engineering, medicine, and sciences, essential for the country’s development.
Various senators participating in the discussion noted that brain drain was not limited to universities but extended to crucial sectors like healthcare, where professionals sought better opportunities abroad.
In response to the debate, the Senate President recognized the gravity of the situation, particularly in the health sector, where a significant number of Nigerian health workers have migrated to countries like the United States.
The Senate President assured that efforts would be made to address the challenges faced by university teachers and professionals in combating brain drain.