(PDF) Impact of Brain Drain on Economic Development: a Review of Buhari Administration

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The term “brain drain” refers to the movement of educated and skilled workers from nations with lower standards of living to those with higher standards. Since the supply of education and skills is often a labor-intensive activity, it is typically less expensive to acquire education or skills in nations with plentiful inexpensive labor. This is because education and skills are investments in human capital (Acemoglu, 2022). Those who have the necessary education or skills will then relocate to industrialized nations, which provide a better return on their invested human capital. This kind of migration is often supported by legislation and other institutional considerations, since most nations look more favorably on immigration by people with skills than on immigration by people without abilities. (Akpokodje, 2019). Ajayi (2022), on the other hand, pointed out that an influx of immigrants can further affect welfare in the host country when it leads to congestion in the use of public goods and services, such as roads, parks, and schools, or when it leads to a greater demand for transfer payments to cover the expenses of housing, food, and medical care. This is because an influx of immigrants leads to an increase in the number of people needing assistance with housing, food, and medical care. The difference between the amount of taxes paid and the additional demand for services and transfers that immigration creates is what determines the net fiscal balance caused by immigration. The situation changes, however, when immigrants come with considerable quantities of capital (financial or human). This is due to the fact that the ratio of capital to labor may increase rather than decrease as a result of their presence. Because of this, some nations, such as Canada, give precedence in the immigration process to persons who come to their country with sufficient wealth to start new enterprises. The more common kind of capital that immigrants bring with them, namely their education and training, positions them to become a potentially significant driver of economic expansion (Barro, 2016). As it does now with the talented people migrating from countries such as India, China, and several African countries, the United States reaped enormous benefits from the arrival of large numbers of scientists and engineers fleeing Europe before World War II. Today, the United States reaps similar benefits from the migration of talented people from countries such as India, China, and several African countries. When highly qualified people leave a developing nation, such as Nigeria, they take a considerable amount of their country’s tax income with them. Ironically, several bright and highly skilled people who are contributing enormously to the gross domestic product of their host countries are originally from the developing countries of Africa. This is despite the fact that the majority of developing countries in Africa are in desperate need of valuable professionals and personnel in order to develop their workforce. Bloom (2016), suggested that education plays a major influence in the developing issue of the worldwide movement of high-level educated workers the so called brain drain from poor to affluent nations. This is especially true in the case of scientists, engineers, academics, and physicians, many thousands of whom have been trained in institutions in their home countries at considerable social cost only to reap the benefits of and contribute to the further economic growth of nations that were already prosperous before they left (Clemens, 2017). Therefore, this study will examine Impact of brain drain on economic development: A review of Buhari administration

Statement of the problem

According to economic theory, there are two ways in which growth may be achieved: either a rise in the total number of elements of production, or an improvement in the overall efficiency with which those components are utilised. Consequently, a rise in investment is what drives economic expansion (Docquier, 2016). Dunn (2021) identified “chronic government corruption” as the root cause of Nigeria’s substantial brain drain issue, which he attributed to the fact that the country suffers from a severe problem with “brain drain.” By conducting this study, the researcher made an effort to address the issue of brain drain and the impact it has on the country of Nigeria’s economic progress. The nation of Nigeria as a whole has grown fraught with problems, ranging from straightforward government to a scarcity of the fundamental conveniences (lack of access to healthcare) required to live. According to Frank (2020), access to healthcare is the most fundamental of all human rights. However, Nigerians do not have access to this fundamental human right, which has resulted in a significant exodus of healthcare professionals to more developed nations. Another effect of corruption was that many people in Nigeria left the country in search of safety, better living conditions, and other amenities in politically stable countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and other westernized nations. These destinations included countries like the United States and the United Kingdom (Garba, 2022). It is on the basis of identifying the impact of brain drain on economic development: A review of Buhari administration.

Objective of the study

The general objective of the study is to examine the impact of brain drain on economic development: A review of Buhari administration. The specific objectives is as follows:

i. To find out factors causing the escalation of brain drain in Nigeria.

Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

i. What are the factors causing the escalation of brain drain in Nigeria?

ii. Is there a relationship between the poor leadership of the country and escalation of brain drain?

iii. What is the effects of brain drain on the economy of the country?

iv. What are the solutions to the problem of brain drain in Nigeria?

Significance of the study

The study will be of benefit to the Nigeria government as it will be exposed to the large number of people from different sectors leaving the country partly because of economic reasons. The findings of the study will also serve as a reference to government in other to find solution to the problem of brain drain.

The study will be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature literature.

Scope of the study

This study will find out factors causing the escalation of brain drain in Nigeria. The study will also discovered if there is a relationship between the poor leadership of the country and escalation of brain drain. The study will further find out effects of brain drain on the economy of the country. Lastly, the study will discover solutions to the problem of brain drain in Nigeria. Hence, the study will be delimited to Nigerian Immigration services.

Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Definition of terms

Brain drain: the emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country.

Economic development: programs, policies or activities that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community.