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Nigerians top list of study visas to U.S., UK

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Nigerians top list of study visas to U.S., UK

Fear has gripped the private sector, especially the services and technology space, following mass resignation of skilled workforce to seek greener pastures abroad.

Findings showed that software, hardware engineers, system integrators, digital marketers, accountants and auditors are dumping high-paying employment in banking, financial technology, education, insurance, manufacturing and teaching as economic opportunities shrink amid rising insecurity.

There is another category of people leaving the country through the education route, driven by lingering industrial action in Nigeria’s universities. Majority of these people head to the United Kingdom and Canada.

The NEWS checks also suggest that most of those who leave the country via the study route, especially those seeking second degrees, only use the pursuit of knowledge as a leeway, as they do not intend to return on completion of their programmes.

As a confirmation of this migration, the United Kingdom immigration statistics as at June 2022, revealed that there were 486,868 sponsored study visas granted (to both main applicants and their dependants), 71 per cent (202,147) more than 2019.

Of the study visas issued by the UK, Nigerian nationals saw the largest relative increase in sponsored study grants compared with 2019, increasing by 57,545 (+686 per cent) to a record high of 65,929, making them the third largest nationality group.

Similarly, out of 722,962 non-immigrant visas issued by the United States in June, Nigerians got 6,915 with B1/B2 category recording the highest at 5,061. Other categories of visas issued include G2, J1, C1/D, A1, K2, H3 and P4.

This migration figure could be compounded if statistics from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is to be considered. USCIS revealed that 40,000 immigrant visas are set-aside yearly for skilled workers, who seek to immigrate based on their job skills.

Selected applicants are allowed to relocate to the U.S. with their spouses and children. The U.S. said 65,000 immigrant visa allotments remained unused at the end of 2021, and as such, it has taken steps to avoid a repeat.

The five categories eligible for the visa include persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics and “members of the professions holding advanced degrees.” Others are special immigrants and businessmen/entrepreneurs, who can “invest $1.8 million or $900,000” in the U.S.

“An unusually high number of employment-based immigrant visa numbers were available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021,” the notice reads.
Beyond the desire to migrate to other countries, findings showed opportunities in remote work, especially with many undertaking dollar-denominated projects and work, is equally creating concerns for talent retention by local firms that are unable to match the foreign exchange earnings of many talent hunters. This phenomenon became pronounced with the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that ensued.

The trend poses an enormous challenge to local companies, which are now struggling to replace ‘fleeing’ talents. Companies now conduct interviews to replace good hands monthly, sources disclose to The Guardian.

Unlike in the past when unemployed and individuals in low-paying jobs were those eager to leave, multinational firms operating in the country are also trapped in the quagmire.

The reason for leaving the country is apparent: Currently, Nigeria is battling rising unemployment estimated at 33.3 per cent; rising insecurity, manifesting as banditry and hostage-taking, has risen to a new height, while inflation is taking a serious toll on the real incomes of households.

With the situation not abating, findings showed that Nigerians, especially within the age bracket of 25 and 45, whose services are critical to the information and technology operations of some leading organisations, especially banks, manufacturing firms, Fintechs and insurance companies, are exploring offshore jobs abroad, forcing them to leave the country in droves.

Chief Information Officer of one of the leading first-generation banks, who preferred anonymity, told The Guardian that within the first-half of the year, about 750 software engineers resigned their appointments from some of the leading financial institutions in the country to pick what they described as mouthwatering offers from overseas companies. The popular destinations are Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany and the United States.

Painfully, it was also gathered that the migration figure could triple between September and December as companies abroad continue to dangle irresistible offers.

Overseas companies baiting Nigerians with great jobs are Microsoft, Google, Oracle, usmlelab.com, Amcor Plc, Anglo American Plc, Antofagasta Plc, Associated British Foods Plc, AstraZeneca Plc and British American Tobacco Plc. Others are Compass Group Plc, Computacenter Plc, HSBC Holdings Plc and Intel Corporation.

Microsoft, recently, announced employment opportunities for fresh graduates from Nigerian universities and other African countries. Specifically, the company is looking for software engineers from across Africa to join its U.S. and Canadian teams.

Announcing this via a Twitter post, Microsoft said the potential candidates must be open to relocating to either the U.S. or Canada. To be qualified for the position, Microsoft said such a person must be “pursuing or recently completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computer science or related field.”

The NEWS also gathered that the Microsoft openings have seen thousands of fresh graduates applying. Even those who graduated about four and five years earlier submitted applications.

Indeed, this mass resignation from local firms is beginning to take its toll on some organisations, including banks. Earlier in the year, a report had it that the mass resignation of software engineers in banks obstructed the seamless operation of electronic and mobile banking systems.

Speaking on this challenge, a telecom expert, Kehinde Aluko, said the brain drain in Nigeria is setting the country up for a disaster, adding that continuously losing a huge part of the skilled workforce is no doubt a recipe for disaster.

According to him, the reasons for Nigeria’s alarming brain drain is not hard to diagnose, as poor infrastructure, crippling economy, devaluation of the naira, insecurity, high unemployment rate, poor education, human rights violation, among others, as very glaring reasons why both the young and old are moving out of the country in droves.

Aluko said the implication is the decline in the country’s economic growth. He said it would lead to a reduction in the quality of service, as the absence of skilled workers would create a gap, which only unqualified individuals are going to fill.

The Marketing Manager, Eskimi Africa, an AdTech platform that helps brands and agencies to conduct programmatic advertising campaigns, Oluwatobi Adekunle, said the attraction abroad remains very huge.

Adekunle lamented the growing dearth of digital skills in Nigeria, stressing, “lots of people are running away from the country. These are skills that are exiting Nigeria at the moment. Currently, there is a platform that tries to aggregate them. I receive CVs from companies to recruit for them. The skills are scarce these days, especially in digital marketing. These skills are exiting the country today and we need to refill lots of roles today. We just must encourage ourselves.”

According to him, the attraction is that everybody wants to earn dollars, live in an environment that is comfortable for them to grow and know that the future is guaranteed, which according to him, is missing here.

“For example, a digital marketer in Nigeria at a professional level, who is at the peak of his career, may be earning N800,000, but outside the country, you can earn between $4,500 and $5,000 a month. Convert that to naira and you become a ‘big boy’. It is a lot of money. The fact that you can earn a dollar, grow your career among others is enough attraction for anybody to leave this country.”

The Founder, Jidaw Systems and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Advisor, Jide Awe, noted that there is a global tech talent/skills shortage and companies in Nigeria are feeling the brunt.

Awe said the developed economies, in the west, depend on ICT to power their economies, for continued competitiveness and productivity, adding that the global tech industry grows at a phenomenal pace, and the number of available tech positions vastly outnumbers the available talents.

He said the shortage of tech talent is not a new problem but worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered tech adoption. Referring to Canada, the UK and U.S., the Jidaw founder said demand is huge in these countries that even engage in tech talent wars to attract the best talent from all over the world.

He explained that these countries could use impressive wages, better infrastructure and working conditions as well as their living environments to attract tech talent from Nigeria.

“Because it is a pressing need and priority for them, many of these countries adopt special visa programs, global talent schemes to source international tech talent for their internal tech skills shortage. ICT skills are in high demand. For technology professionals that relocate, it’s about creating a better future for themselves and their families. Sometimes, the perspective is also that the new environment is an advanced one that is safer and more stable for growth and other quality of life issues,” he added.

Considering that this trend is predictable, Awe submitted that as a nation, Nigeria should have done more to prioritise human capital development in ICT – skills development, career development, workforce development, among others.

To the Chairman, Mobile Software Solution, Chris Uwaje, the missing link responsible for the country’s latency to attain digital prominence is primarily due to the lack of understanding of the enormity of the challenges, opportunities and benefits of digital transformation and the negligence of the role of IT/ICT professionals.

He said the ultimate goal of digital transformation is to create and enable digital citizenship, saying that today, nations, governments, tech corporate businesses, and indeed all organisations in the digital economy, have come to realise that digital skills are a primary and critical resource for global competitiveness, success and sustainable development.

On the dangers of this trend, the Mobile Software Solution boss said there are many, but the most critical include rendering the monumental Investments in the national IT/ICT ecosystem useless, obsolete and quantum reinvestment in mitigating digital disaster recovery processes – under the control of foreign knowhow with protected Source code/IT.

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Education

Petroleum institute matriculates 1,625 students

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Petroleum institute matriculates 1,625 students

The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun, has matriculated a total of 1,625 students in her 2024/2025 academic session, with a charge to exhibit good character.

The ceremony, held on Friday in Effurun, Delta, was a combined matriculation of the Full time and School of Industrial Continuing Education Programme students.

Addressing the matriculants, Dr Samuel Onoji, the Principal and Chief Executive of the PTI urged the students to exhibit good character while in the institute.

Onoji, while congratulating the matriculants, warned that the institute had zero tolerance for social vices.

He mentioned some of the social vices to include: examination misconduct, physical and sexual assault, indecent dressing, prostitution, cultism, stealing, certificate forgery, bullying and harassment.

Onoji advised the students to be focused and determined, curious and innovative, respectful and responsible and be proactively engaged in extracurricular activities in the institute.

Onoji also encouraged the students to access the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) programme of the federal government to alleviate their financial needs.

He said that the institute received her first NELFUND disbursement on Feb. 11, 2025, adding that the beneficiaries had been paid.

The PTI boss said the institute was dedicated to training middle level manpower for the oil and gas industry.

“Today marks a significant milestone in your academic journey, and I am delighted to share this experience with you.

“PTI has established international collaborations and partnership that enhance our curriculum, facilities and research capabilities that are industry-focused and aligned with the industry to address identified skill gap in the oil sector.

“Our programmes are designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to excel in dynamic and highly technical fields,” he said.

Onoji urged the students to uphold the highest behavioral standard, respect, and integrity in line with the rules and regulations of the institute.

The PTI boss emphasised the importance of hard work and dedication, saying that the oil and gas industry was highly competitive and dynamic.

He said that the campus was a safe and inclusive environment that promoted learning, growth and personal development.

Onoji assured parents of the matriculants that the institute was committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment that would enhance academic excellence, personal growth and character development.

One of the matriculants, Mr Monday Ejiroghene, thanked his parents and the institute for the admission and promised to justify the confidence reposed on him by way of exhibiting good character.

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UNIZIK Expels Student for Assaulting Lecturer Over TikTok Video

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UNIZIK Expels Student for Assaulting Lecturer Over TikTok Video

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, for assaulting a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

The decision, conveyed in an official expulsion letter dated February 13, 2025, was signed by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Victor I. Modebelu.

The university stated that the expulsion followed recommendations from the Student Disciplinary Committee, which found Precious guilty of gross misconduct in violation of the institution’s disciplinary regulations, specifically Regulation 4 (SDR).

The incident, which sparked widespread outrage after a viral video surfaced online, reportedly involved Precious attacking Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, a lecturer in the department. Sources indicate that the altercation ensued after the lecturer interrupted a TikTok video she was recording on campus.

The expulsion letter, which confirmed the university’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline, directed Precious to vacate the school premises immediately and return any university property in her possession.

“The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations, particularly Regulation 4 (SDR).

“Consequently, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University Senate, approved the Committee’s recommendation that you be expelled, and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the University premises immediately and return any University property in your possession,” the letter stated.

This development reinforces UNIZIK’s commitment to maintaining discipline and academic integrity within the institution.

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Education

Adamawa Unveils Gender Policy to Boost Girls’ Education

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Adamawa Unveils Gender Policy to Boost Girls’ Education

The Adamawa State Government has launched a gender policy on education aimed at increasing girls’ access to quality learning opportunities.

Unveiled in Yola on Friday by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Garba Pella, the policy was developed in partnership with the Jamal Hakeem Foundation and with support from the Malala Fund.

Represented by Mrs. Mary Yuwadi, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Education, Pella emphasized the policy’s focus on promoting gender equity in education.

“The goal of the policy is to build a just society devoid of discrimination, where women, men, girls, and boys are equitably integrated into all sectors of national development.

“It also aims to empower girls and women by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to participate fully in society and achieve their potential,” he stated.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating gender-responsive strategies into its education policies. These include encouraging gender-inclusive teaching techniques, forming gender clubs, and implementing measures to enhance girls’ school enrollment and retention.

Mr. Joel Jutum, Lead Consultant for Education Policy Development at the Jamal Hakeem Foundation, disclosed that the policy would be implemented over a three-year period, followed by a review and evaluation.

He stressed the need for effective execution, noting that, “The government is mandated to formulate policies, but we have domesticated the National Policy on Education to address specific gender issues in Adamawa.

“This way, policy implementers in the state can better understand the document and take necessary actions to narrow gender gaps in education.”

Jutum further highlighted major challenges affecting girls’ education in the state, including limited access to schooling, early and forced marriages, inadequate girls-only schools, and a shortage of female mentors.

He expressed optimism that the implementation of the policy would help eliminate these barriers and foster gender equality in education.

 

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