The Nigerian Senate has pledged to tackle the growing trend of mass migration, popularly known as “Japa,” by reversing the tide of Nigerians leaving the country in search of greener pastures.
According to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, the committee will collaborate with stakeholders to make Nigeria more attractive to its citizens, particularly the youth.
The committee plans to study countries like India, Pakistan, and Egypt, which have successfully reversed brain drain and attracted their citizens to stay.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that patriotism is earned, not enforced, and that the committee will work to identify steps to build the economy using diaspora energy.
To achieve this goal, the committee will gather data on Nigerians in the diaspora, country by country, and collaborate with international organizations to attract them back home.
India’s success in reversing brain drain by becoming a hub for ICT capacity and creating jobs for its citizens will serve as a model.
The immediate past chairman of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh, expressed confidence in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ability to lead the committee to success in tapping resources from Nigerians in the diaspora and making the country attractive to those at home.
