Nigeria’s Human Capital Migration and the Socio-economic Implications

This research presents the implications of human emigration from Nigeria and the socio-economic development implications for the Nigerian Economy. Migration, which is a form of geographic mobility involving a permanent or semi-permanent change of usual residence within 10 years, is rapidly on the increase worldwide. This research intends to undertake further exposition of all the activities of the incessant migration and brain drain, which impacts adversely on needed man-power for economic development in Nigeria. The work is anchored on push-pull theories of migration. Push-pull theory is an important theoretical approach that is often used to understand human capital migration. The theory proposes that there are factors responsible for the decisions of migrants to move from their places of origin to new destinations. In Nigeria, there are environmental, social, political, demographic, and economic factors that influence people to move from one geographical location to the other. Since the post-colonial era, Nigeria has been experiencing missed opportunities, low development, and frustrated hope. The research thus concluded that the failure of governance is seen in poor socio-economic performance, causing suffering and unfulfilled expectations leading to political instability, conflict, insurgency, etc. These conditions have led to massive migration of trained professionals like doctors, nurses, engineers, and academics to developed countries. To this extent, the following recommendations were made: Creation of job opportunities, Provision of quality educational opportunities, Provision of local incentives, Provision of conducive environment for workers, Funding of tertiary institutions, Accountability in governance, amongst others.