Government laments as civil servants sent on training abroad abscond, refuse to return

Government laments as civil servants sent on training abroad abscond, refuse to return

 

The Lagos State Government has raised serious concerns over a growing trend among civil servants who fail to return to Nigeria after being sent abroad for official training.

 

 

During a press briefing on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, disclosed that nearly 30% of public servants who were sponsored for international training programmes have refused to return.

 

“While 70% of those we sent abroad came back, 30% have simply refused to return,” Ayantayo said.

 

“This troubling development is being driven by the increasing Japa syndrome,” he added, referring to the popular Nigerian slang for emigrating in search of better opportunities.

 

According to Ayantayo, the state had invested heavily in capacity building, with 23,420 civil servants benefitting from various training initiatives between May 2022 and December 2024.

 

Over 185 programmes were conducted in that period, aimed at enhancing efficiency, leadership, and regulatory compliance across different levels of government.

 

The commissioner stressed that the objective of the overseas training was to build a modern and competent workforce, but the high rate of abscondment is threatening the integrity and sustainability of these efforts.

 

Beyond international training, Ayantayo noted that about 8,000 civil servants have been granted study leave in the last three years to pursue academic and professional advancement.

 

He also cited several welfare initiatives under the Sanwo-Olu administration, including a N35,000 wage increment for workers to cushion economic hardship, and financial incentives for medical personnel, such as bonuses, rural allowances, and training funds.

 

Despite highlighting these achievements, the commissioner remained tight-lipped on issues related to severance packages for political appointees whose terms have ended. When asked directly about the amounts paid, Ayantayo declined to comment.

 

The abscondment issue has sparked broader questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and accountability mechanisms within the public sector. Analysts say the government may need to re-evaluate its selection processes and enforce stricter return policies to prevent a brain drain within its workforce.

 

As the state grapples with this challenge, it faces the difficult task of balancing the need to equip its workforce with global best practices, while ensuring that investments in human capital do not go to waste.