BRAIN DRAIN, RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

While there no longer exists any expedience to sound alarm on the issue of ‘Japa’ given its widespread cognizance, its pathetic effects on national development remain alarming. It has, in fact become a nationwide issue which has brutally plagued all sectors of economy, paralyzing national growth and development. Brain drain, lack of skilled and professional personnel in various fields, underdevelopment of rural areas, among others are the various indications of strain on the national growth perpetrated by mass migration. Against this backdrop, this paper commences a critical essay investigation into the causes and implications of brain drain and rural-urban migration. Factors like government/industrial policies, security challenges, food insecurity, and low availability of amenities, among others are adeptly discussed vis-à-vis their responsibility for the ongoing mass migration. The implications for national development and sustainability are further discussed. It is, in fact on this premise that the author goes on to make feasible recommendations for the surcease of brain drain and rural- urban migration in Nigeria. The paper concludes on this note.