Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has called on the Federal Government to implement a system that discourages students benefiting from the national student loan scheme from leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad- also known as the “japa syndrome.”
Speaking in Jos on Monday night while hosting the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, the governor emphasized the need for policies that ensure beneficiaries remain in Nigeria to contribute to its development.
Mutfwang expressed deep concern over the adverse impact of brain drain, particularly in the healthcare sector, where the mass emigration of highly skilled professionals—doctors, nurses, and specialists—has created a significant workforce shortage.
He warned that this ongoing trend threatens the country’s ability to provide quality healthcare despite the substantial investments made in medical training.
“For medical students, the most significant impact of Japa is felt in the health sector, where we are experiencing a severe shortage. We are committed to investing in their training, but we must also establish measures that prevent them from immediately relocating abroad after graduation.
“It doesn’t make sense to train medical doctors only for them to leave the country as soon as they qualify. How do we address this? Because if they have access to this type of financial support, we are essentially training them for export.”
“To curb the exodus of medical professionals, the governor advocated for the introduction of incentives that would encourage them to remain in Nigeria. These incentives could include competitive salaries, improved working conditions, career advancement opportunities, and other benefits that make medical practice within the country more attractive,” he said.
Reflecting on past policies, Mutfwang recalled a time when medical students were placed on salary Level Seven once they entered clinical training. This ensured that, upon graduation, they were automatically enrolled in state service and required to serve for a designated period before seeking employment elsewhere.
“If we fail to address this issue, we will simply be training professionals for developed nations that require skilled manpower. These countries have declining birth rates and are in constant need of workers. If we do nothing, we will continue supplying them with our best talent,” the governor said.
The governor also underscored the importance of instilling patriotism in young professionals, urging them to prioritize national development.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. If we don’t take responsibility for our nation’s growth, no one else will. There must be a conscious and deliberate commitment to contributing to our country’s progress,” he stated. “You can study anywhere in the world, but if your education was funded by Nigerian taxpayers, there should be a reasonable expectation for you to give back to the nation.”
Responding, NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensuring that no student in public tertiary institutions is denied access to education due to financial difficulties.
“Our goal is to ensure that both indigenes and non-indigenes studying in Plateau State understand how to access the funding available to them,” Sawyerr explained. “Every Nigerian student, regardless of location, should benefit from this initiative.”
Governor Mutfwang commended the Federal Government for its innovative approach to student loans, particularly the policy of paying tuition fees directly to educational institutions. He noted that this measure would enhance transparency and prevent financial mismanagement.
“We have seen cases where students were given allowances to cover school charges but failed to use them for that purpose. Consequently, they were barred from writing exams, creating additional crises. Ensuring direct payment to schools will eliminate such issues,” he remarked.
The governor also lauded President Tinubu for appointing Sawyerr as the head of NELFUND, describing the decision as a well-considered one.
“You were the right choice for this position,” Mutfwang told Sawyerr.
Members of the NELFUND delegation included Director of Client Support Services, Yemi Carson; Senior Manager of Strategic Communications, Folayemi Ogunniya; and Senior Manager and Technical Advisor to the MD/CEO, Nasir Ayitogo, among others.
