1.0 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

According to Okoli, Ogbondah, and Ewor (2016) the "Japa syndrome" in the Nigerian educational system should cause tremendous concern given the country's current rate of economic growth and the aspirations for future economic development. The issues brought on by brain drain also known as “Japa syndronme” are frequently evident in the rising need for highly qualified personnel in both the public and private sectors as well as in the labour market at large. The argument is frequently made that despite the fact that there is a large population of Nigerian nationals abroad, particularly in Europe and North America, who have completed their training in a variety of disciplines and prefer to remain and work in foreign nations, at a time when there is an ever-increasing need for skills and experts of highly trained personnel.

Due to this, the "Japa syndronme" issues plaguing Nigeria's educational system have turned into a policy liability(Okoli et. al. 2016). However, this has made research on the subject necessary in an effort to pinpoint the reasons for and effects of the exodus of highly qualified academics from Nigeria as well as potential initiatives that may be done as a matter of national policy to lessen its intensity.

According to Ogunode., Jegede, Abubakar, & Martina (2020) Conventionally, developed countries should be exempt from the loss of skills and talents, and therefore, they should be the ones who benefit from these skills and talents loss rather than the reverse, as is the situation in Nigeria. We also consider it a loss when Nigerian academicians shift their abilities to other developing countries outside of the context of technical aid, unless of course those abilities are not necessary for the efficient administration of planned change in Nigeria. It is no longer relevant whether or not "Japa" is a problem for Nigeria. The public's attitude towards the issue has gradually changed from apathy to one of national concern as a result of the realization that the nation lacks the skilled labour (especially in our universities) necessary to carry the enormous load of a huge indigenization endeavor. Additionally, there have been United Nations resolutions demanding for detailed information on and remedies to the talent and skill exodus that has mostly stopped from developing to industrialized countries.

 The exact number of Nigerian academicians who are involved in the topic under review is unknown, despite the fact that “Japa syndrome” is currently recognized as a concern. Fortunately, determining the effects of brain drain for Nigeria does not need waiting for precise figures on scale.

Hundreds of Nigerians with middle and high level talents dwell in industrialized countries, but the second national development plan is moving more slowly due to a shortage of highly talented workers especially in the Education sector Of Nigeria. The urgent need for highly qualified academicians in our universities has arisen as a result of the ongoing expansion of Nigeria's economic horizon in order to improve students' academic prospects and performance as well as the quickening growth of the country's overall economic system (Ahaotu & Ogunode  2021).

The wave of Japa, which refers to widespread migration of one nationality to other countries in search of greater personal profit, has caught up with Nigeria in the early 1980s, as with many social issues that have their origin abroad. The federal government got so concerned about it that a presidential commission was formed in October 1988 to investigate the causes of Japa syndrome in Nigeria especially the Nigerian educational sector..

Nigeria's credit facilities with its allies in Europe and America have also significantly shrunk as a result of the country's excessive debt load. It appeared as though the country's economy was crumbling. Ironically, there was increasing need to build more universities to accommodate the influx of secondary school graduates who were first admitted to the educational system during the height of the economy through the Universal Primary Education programme (UPE)( Ogunode et al. 2020).

 Highly qualified professionals in Nigerian educational system choose to leave their own country for another for economic reasons such as, job satisfaction academically progressive environment, better pay and service conditions, a higher standard of living e.t.c. throughout history, countries and centre of academic excellent that offer these attractions have received the largest numbers of professional migrants and these have, in turn made substantial contributions, not only to the economic growth of their host countries, but also to the scientific and technological advancement of humanity(Ahaotu  & Ogunode 2021). On a global level, the free movement and interaction of high skilled people is a positive thing. But, the cost to the home countries and educational sector of losing their professionals is incalculable in terms of both development opportunities and loss of investment

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Due to a steady exodus of its experienced professionals over the past few years, the Nigerian educational system has gravely deteriorated. Many of our academic departments are now led by unqualified lecturers since they have damaged the academic side of the Nigerian educational system so severely. The standard of academic teaching and research has also declined. The educational system in Nigeria have struggled to maintain the academic staff that is the cornerstone of any academic institution's growth and expansion, making it difficult to reach the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in the fields of teaching, research, and public services. .Consequently, this study seeks to determine the impact of Japa on the Nigerian education system

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 The purpose of this research is to critically examine the impact of Japa on the Nigerian education system. Specifically, the objectives include:

1. Examine factor responsible for Japa syndrome in Nigeria Universities.

2. Assessing the effects of Japa syndrome on the Nigerian educational system.

3. Examine how Japa syndrome affects the lecturers and student in the Educational system.

 4. To suggest and recommend, practical measures for curbing the continuous brain drain also known as Japa syndrome  in our educational and national developmental systems in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) What are the factors responsible for Japa syndrome in Nigeria Universities?

2) What is the impact of Japa syndrome on the Nigerian educational system.

3) How does Japa syndrome influence the lecturers and student in the Educational system.

 4) What are suggestions and recommendations, practical measures for curbing the continuous brain drain also known as Japa syndrome  in our educational and national developmental systems in Nigeria.

1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

A comprehensive study on the concept of JAPA should include: all academic staff moving out of the Educational  system not as retiring staff or as a result of sickness or secondment, but permanently and intentionally leaving the services of the educational institutions to areas referred to as the “GREENER PASTURES”. The reason and the effects for such movement are examined. The study being a case study is limited to Higher institutions. The study does not seek to know from those who left, why they left the educational institutions but from the University system itself. However, it seeks to know from those still serving in the educational institutions the reasons for JAPA and its consequences on the University system as a whole. Imitations are those factors inherent in the research study that might have affected the process of data collection for this research work. One of the major limitations is the organization’s unwillingness to give out necessary data that will have assisted in the conduct of this research work effectively.

 xx Another limitation is the current harsh economic conditions in the country. Also, time constraint was another factor that limited the coverage of the scope of this study adequately.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is significant in the sense that only through such a study that the ills created by this unwholesome development will made manifest and corrected to enhance effective improvement in our Universities and the economy. It has equally revealed the extent to which brain drain is irretrievable and unfrighteningly crippling to the Nigerian educational system in terms of academic quality. It suffices to say that it is only through such a study that those concerned will be compelled to understand and take appropriate measures to curtail the situation. The study is also significant because it has shed light on some of the major causes of JAPA in Nigerian Educational institutions and possible solutions and recommendation have already been made for minimization of adverse consequences to the entire nations

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 JAPA: The migration of academics, skilled professionals and technical manpower from developing to developed countries, or to other such developing countries

EDUCATION SYSTEM: The educational system generally refers to the structure of all institutions and the opportunities for obtaining education within a country